Manoj Jarange applies third time for Mumbai hunger strike permission, accepts all 20 police conditions

Manoj Jarange Patil's agitation demanding Maratha reservation continues at Antarwali Sarati, with his hunger strike entering its 17th day today. He remains firm on his decision to also hold a hunger strike at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, but Mumbai Police have not yet granted permission for it.

Police had earlier rejected Jarange Patil's permission applications twice. A third application has now been filed on his behalf, in which he has agreed to accept all the conditions that had earlier led police to refuse permission.

The application states that the agitation at Azad Maidan will be held peacefully to draw the government's attention to the pending demands of the Maratha community. It also makes clear that the agitation will remain entirely within democratic and constitutional limits so that there is no law and order problem, with the organisers taking full responsibility for this.

Jarange Patil has accepted a total of 20 conditions in the application. The organisers have given a full assurance that the law and order situation will not deteriorate during the agitation. Under one key condition, the original copy of the agitation permission will be kept on hand to show any on-duty police officer if asked. The application also states that the prescribed limit on the number of participants will be maintained.

It has also been assured that no one participating in the agitation will deliver inflammatory speeches or make statements aimed at provoking the crowd. The application further states that no vehicles will be brought to the site of the agitation, including tractors, handcarts (trolleys), bullock carts, cycle rickshaws and pushcarts.

Notably, no animals will be brought to the site of the agitation either. The application makes clear that animals such as birds, horses, elephants, camels and roosters will not be brought to the venue. It reiterates that the agitation will draw the government's attention to the legitimate and pending demands of the Maratha community, and will be held peacefully, within democratic and constitutional limits.

The third application has now been filed accepting all the conditions that police had earlier objected to. All eyes are now on what decision Mumbai Police take this time.