Anna Hazare to set off 'padyatra' against land bill on March 25

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will set off on a month-long 'padyatra' (foot-march) to Delhi to mobilise public opinion against the land bill on March 25 from Sevagram, which houses an ashram of Mahatma Gandhi, here.

The 77-year-old activist, who reached here last night, held discussions with his close associates over the details of the yatra and announced later that the campaign would start on March 25 and conclude on April 27 at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi.

Before setting out on the 1,100-km journey, Hazare will visit Bhagat Singh's village in Punjab on March 23, on the death anniversary of the iconic revolutionary.

"Violence will not be allowed at any cost. Otherwise the march will be suspended," Hazare said.

Hazare has chalked out the campaign to put pressure on the Narendra Modi Government against 'anti-farmer' provisions in the Land Acquisition Bill, taking cue from farmers' outfits.

He had last month staged a two-day protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi under the banner of Bhrashtachar Virodhi Jan Andolan Nyas.

Several farmers' groups had pledged support to the 'padyatra'.