VBA Calls Maharashtra Bandh Over Delhi Student Protest

The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) has called for a Maharashtra Bandh on July 23 in support of the students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and to condemn the alleged police action during the agitation demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

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Announcing the bandh, VBA spokesperson Siddharth Mokale alleged that the student protest could have been handled sensitively by the government, but instead the situation escalated with police action against demonstrators. He claimed that the government’s efforts to protect a single minister at the cost of students had raised serious concerns about democratic values.

Appealing to the public, Mokale urged citizens to rise above political affiliations and ideological differences to support the bandh for the future of students.

“If you want to safeguard the future of your children, keep politics aside and participate in the Maharashtra Bandh,” he appealed.

The protest at Jantar Mantar is being led by Abhijeet Dipke, a resident of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. VBA leaders said the bandh aims to strengthen support for the student movement, particularly from Maharashtra and the Marathwada region.

According to the party, a large number of students and competitive examination aspirants had already participated in recent demonstrations at Kranti Chowk in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, demanding reforms in the country’s education system.

VBA stated that the protest is not limited to a political issue but reflects growing dissatisfaction with the condition of education in the country. The party alleged that many educational institutions fail to provide quality teaching, while private coaching classes have expanded rapidly, increasing the burden on students and parents.

The party maintained that the bandh is intended to amplify the voices of students and ensure that their demands reach those in power.

Meanwhile, several opposition leaders have extended support to the Delhi protest. VBA President Prakash Ambedkar met protest leader Abhijeet Dipke, while leaders including Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar also expressed support for the agitation.