PMC,police refuse permission for hunger strike,BST & IAC to go ahead

According to organisers,PMC authorities denied permission at the last moment though the ward office had cleared it earlier.

“On May 16,we had approached Ghole Road ward office and had sought permission to hold a one-day peaceful protest at Savarkar Smarak,to which they granted permission with the condition that the Bhavan (building construction) department of PMC will have to clear the request. Despite repeated reminders,the Bhavan authorities did not take any decision for two weeks. They informed us on May 31 that we cannot protest at Savarkar Smarak,” said Vijay Varudkar,the district conveyor of BST.

According to organisers,they chose the venue of Savarkar Smarak as it is the place where historic bonfire of foreign garment was carried out in 1905.

“Why did the officials take two weeks to inform us of their decision? Had they informed us in time,we should have made some alternative arrangements,” said Varudkar. The organisers have now decided to go ahead with their plan and to protest at the Smarak.

“We have decided now that we will start our hunger strike at the Smarak and face whatever action the police take. It will be peaceful,” Varudkar said.

The BST and IAC have organised the nation-wide agitation to press for the demand of bringing back black money stashed in tax havens,passage of a ‘strong’ Lokpal Bill and implementing administrative reforms by reframing the laws that were enacted during the British regime.