Dandi March 2 for Jan Lokpal Bill

Freedom fighters, non-governmental organisations and citizen forums staged a protest on Saturday to demand a Jan Lokpal Bill.

Freedom fighters, non-governmental organisations and citizen forums staged a protest on Saturday to demand a Jan Lokpal Bill.

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The bill would pave the way for a Jan Lokpal, an independent body like the Election Commission, which would have the power to prosecute politicians and bureaucrats without government permission.

A protest march, dubbed ‘Dandi March 2’, started at Carter Road and was attended by residents, social activists, college students and senior citizens.

“More such rallies should be organised. They will give people an opportunity to express their views and discuss the issue,” said Navneet Shah, who participated in the 1942 Quit India Movement.

Vasant Parekh, a freedom fighter from Andheri, said: “We are disappointed with the way the country is being run. All our sacrifices have gone to waste. People need to come together and agitate against the system in which all of us are trapped.” Parekh was imprisoned during the freedom struggle in 1943.

The march was organised by the India Against Corruption forum. The bill has been drafted by former top cop Kiran Bedi, Justice Santosh Hegde, renowned advocate Prashant Bhushan, former chief election commissioner JM Lyngdoh and former incom-tax chief Arvind Kejriwal.

“The entire system is corrupt, bureaucrats and politicians are shielding each other. The bill is the need of the hour,” said RBS Bir, a Bandra resident.