From 26^th March onwards, thousands of citizens in Karnataka and lakhs all over India under the banner of ‘India Against Corruption (IAC)’ will hold a series of campaigns that will converge into a final ultimatum to the Central govt. on April 5^th in the form of a fast unto death by revered social activist Shri Anna Hazare.

In Bengaluru, on 26^th March, citizens will come together to launch Dandi March II, a non-violent protest against lack of willingness of Central Govt. to ACT against CORRUPTION.

Acknowledging Loksatta party’s strong support to this patriotic movement, Karnataka Loksatta party President, N S Ramakanth announced, "This national movement against corruption is the need of the hour. The recent revelation by Wikileaks is only the tip of the iceberg of the extent corruption has invaded governance. If we remain quiet now, our mouths will be so sealed, that we would never be able to speak again."

Route map for the Mar 26th Dandi March II event. Graphic: Lok Satta party.

The Dandi March II on Saturday will revive the spirit of patriotism and solidarity among countrymen in the same way as it did in March 1930, when Mahatma Gandhi launched the Dandi March for India’s Independence. The historic movement eight decades ago, was the first Act by the Mahatma formally declaring ‘Purna Swaraj’ and directly challenging British rule in India. The Dandi March sparked large scale civil disobedience movements by millions of Indians.

"Dandi March II symbolizes the beginning of the second Independence movement of India", says Dr. Meenakshi Bharath. "This time, however, the fight is not against foreigners. We now need to fight for Independence against Deep-Rooted Corruption in our governance so that the benefits reach the Common Man."

Dandi March II on Saturday will be flagged off by eminent freedom fighter H S Doreswamy from Sirsi Circle to M G Road as shown in the map. He will be followed by a group of freedom fighters who fought for Indian Independence.  Recalling the events in the last year they said, "When we joined the Dandi March in 1930, we never felt that we would have to fight our own people. But for the good of India, we will fight till our last breath". Along with these brave and enthusiastic men and women will be college students, young professionals, activists, resident welfare associations, working/ retired govt. officials and many others who have never before come forward for a public issue.

Dandi March II in Bangalore is organized by IAC, a joint effort of Loksatta party and several organizations such as Saaku campaign, SmartVote, Art of Living Foundation and many others.

Nationally, IAC is led by eminent Indian leaders such as Swami Agnivesh, Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal, Sri Sri Ravishankar, Baba Ramdev, Anna Hazare, Prashant Bhushan, Maulana Mahmood Madani and Most Rev. Vincent M Concessao, Archbishop of Delhi. The Jan Lokpal Bill advocates for an effective anti-corruption agency unlike the present ineffective bodies such as the CBI and CVC. Honourable Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hegde who co-drafted the Bill has on Sunday in a conference by IAC extended wholehearted support to the campaign.

Dandi March II will be followed on April 5^th by a mega-fast against Corruption by countrymen all over the country with over a 100 men and women expected to hold fast at Freedom Park in Bangalore alone. Anna Hazare has announced a fast unto death in Delhi till the Lokpal Bill is introduced in Parliament.

Envisions Dr. Shankara Prasad, "This is the start of a revolution that the world has never seen before!" ⊕