Anna Hazare flags off rally in Mumbai

Social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday flagged off a rally of 2,000 participants on 500 cars and bikes in his ongoing struggle for a nationwide mechanism against corruption.

Social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday flagged off a rally of 2,000 participants on 500 cars and bikes in his ongoing struggle for a nationwide mechanism against corruption.

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Mumbai's famous dabbawalas and hundreds of college students joined in the 10-km rally between Dadar in central Mumbai and Azad Maidan to the south.

The event precedes a torch procession in the night to be led by Hazare, an official of the India Against Corruption organisation here said.

The participants shouted slogans demanding a strong jan lokpal bill. They also extended full support to Hazare, who has expressed displeasure with the government's version of the anti-graft lokpal bill.

"Annaji will speak to the media at 4 pm, following which he will proceed to Azad Maidan to address a public meeting along with Lokpal bill joint drafting committee member Arvind Kejriwal," the official said.

"Annaji will then lead a 100-mashaal (torch) march to the August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai to commemorate the anniversary of the Quit India movement. He and his supporters will take an oath to make India corruption-free," the official added.

Hazare has vowed to go on fast Aug 16 and urged people to join the "peaceful protest", calling it the country's "second freedom struggle".