Workers of the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi's Kurla unit blocked the Mumbai–Sion–Mulund National Highway on Thursday as part of the party's statewide Maharashtra Bandh. Several party workers, including Swapnil Javalgekar, Swapnil Waghmare, Sandhya Pagare, Anil Mhaske and Malti Wagh, participated in the protest.
Police personnel later intervened and removed protesters who attempted to block the Eastern Express Highway. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi Mumbai State President Chetan Ahire was taken into police custody during the agitation.
📍मुंबई
— Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (@VBAforIndia) July 23, 2026
23 जुलै "महाराष्ट्र बंद"
वंचित बहुजन आघाडीचे मुंबई प्रदेशाध्यक्ष चेतन अहिरे यांना पोलिसांनी ताब्यात घेतले.
दिल्लीत शांततापूर्ण आंदोलन करणाऱ्या विद्यार्थ्यांवर झालेल्या अमानुष लाठीचार्जच्या निषेधार्थ आज, 23 जुलै रोजी, वंचित बहुजन आघाडीने महाराष्ट्र बंदचे पुकारला आहे… pic.twitter.com/dqLoK0J7IS
The VBA called for the Maharashtra Bandh to protest what it described as an "inhuman lathi charge" on students who were holding a peaceful demonstration in Delhi. The shutdown received support in several parts of Mumbai. In Bhandup, Mumbai Regional President of the Vanchit Bahujan Mahila Aghadi Snehal Sohni and other activists visited different localities to assess the response to the bandh. Several shopkeepers supported the protest by keeping their establishments closed.
📍 भांडुप
— Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (@VBAforIndia) July 23, 2026
23 जुलै "महाराष्ट्र बंद"
महाराष्ट्र बंदला भांडुप मध्ये नागरिकाचा पाठिंबा!
वंचित बहुजन महिला आघाडीच्या मुंबई प्रदेशाध्यक्ष स्नेहल सोहनी आणि कार्यकर्त्यांनी भांडुप मधील परिसरात महाराष्ट्र बंदची पाहणी केली नागरिकांनी उत्फूर्त प्रतिसाद देऊन आपली दुकाने बंद ठेवली आहेत.… pic.twitter.com/SEVAzhI8t9
The vegetable market at Vashinaka in Chembur remained completely shut, while residents and traders in Byculla and Mazgaon also reportedly observed the bandh.
The VBA alleged that police had served notices on several party leaders and workers ahead of the protest. The party further claimed that some office-bearers had been placed under virtual house arrest, with police personnel deployed outside their residences to prevent them from participating in the agitation.
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The bandh was expected to have a greater impact in VBA strongholds such as Chembur, Ghatkopar and Dharavi. Parts of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Akola and Nagpur were also expected to be affected.
VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar was scheduled to address the media at his residence, Rajgruha, in Dadar regarding the bandh and the police action against party workers.
Although several opposition parties reportedly extended verbal support to the protest, they did not commit to participating at the ground level.
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