Indian MVA alliance cancels statewide bandh after Bombay High Court prohibits political participation.

Opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in India's Maharashtra state had planned a statewide bandh (strike) to protest the sexual assault of two four-year-old girls at a school in Badlapur. However, the Bombay High Court issued an order on Friday prohibiting political parties and individuals from supporting or participating in the bandh. Consequently, the MVA alliance decided to call off the bandh and hold silent sit-in protests with black face bands in all districts of Maharashtra on Saturday. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, responded to the court's order by stating that it was a "slap" for the opposition.