India Against Corruption

When & Where?

Ramlila Ground, Delhi on January 30, 2011.

What?

On 30th January, 2011, the day of Mahatma Gandhi's martyrdom, people from all over the city irrespective of religion, caste, creed and social affiliations united and marched against corruption to demand the passage of Jan Lokpal Bill and bring offenders to justice.

The event was led by RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and supported by Art of Living & WAYE and addressed by noted personalities like Kiran Bedi, Ram Jethmalani, Prashant Bhushan, Sashi Bhushan, Mehmood Madani, Medha Patekar, social activists Swami Agnivesh, Anna Hazare and others. About 1000 WAYE volunteers came on streets on Sunday afternoon to walk the march which began from Ramlila Ground and inched towards Jantar Mantar, where the marchers tore the official Lok Pal bill of the central government and carried banners and placards with anti-corruption slogans and for immediate passage of Jan Lokpal (Citizen's ombudsman) Bill.

"There is lack of punishment and fear among corrupt bureaucrats and politicians, the existing laws are inefficient. The Lokpal Bill drafted by the government must be modified as per the Jan Lokpal Bill prepared by civil society groups. The modified Bill aims at making the investigating agencies independent from the government and also includes provisions to recover money from guilty officials," said Kiran Bedi.

The recent instances of large-scale corruption like 2G spectrum and huge sums of black money stashed in foreign banks have added to the public anger. "The Lokpal bill prepared by the public is so effective that it will eradicate corruption in next two-three years. Political parties should support the passage of this bill as the Lokpal suggested by the government is only a showpiece," eminent lawyer Shanti Bhushan said while addressing the rally.