Mumbai Police have denied nod for stir, claims Jarange
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday claimed Mumbai police had denied permission for his indefinite hunger strike in the metropolis from September 19 and accused Maharashtra Government of trying to suppress his agitation.
He also claimed the act of the Mumbai police was against the directives of the Bombay High Court. This is dictatorship and high-handedness, Jarange said as his hunger strike entered the 16th day on Sunday.
“Why do they (Government and police) assume we will violate the rules before the protest even begins? Under what law is this Government functioning?” Jarange asked.
Jarange said his legal team would challenge the police order.
On Friday, the Bombay High Court refused to pass any urgent order on a petition seeking to stop his fresh protest in the state capital.
The court said every person has the right to protest and no restraining order can be issued merely on the apprehension of law and order trouble.
Attacking Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for “disturbing peace during Hindu festival”, Jarange said he would go to Mumbai for the stir notwithstanding denial of permission by police.
The activist has called for the march during Ganpati festivities, to be held from September 14 to 25.
Rejecting talk that his stir could cause law and order issues amid the festive season, he said, “We also celebrate Ganesh festival. The Government and police are creating a conspiracy to prevent our peaceful and democratic protest. This is not the way a Government should function under the rule of law.”
“We respect the Constitution and the judiciary, but we will not bow down to arbitrary Government directives. Our legal team will decide on the next steps,” Jarange added. Reiterating that his march to Mumbai would begin as planned on September 15, Jarange said he would stop medical treatment and fluid intake in protest against the denial of police permission. Earlier in the day, the activist alleged a conspiracy to kill him and create trouble during his proposed march to Mumbai to press for Maratha reservation.
