The 'Jana Jagruthi Yathra' or People's March at Bangalore on 8th February 2008
Culmination of the South India Yathra at Kolar on 9th February 2008

Bangalore, 07th February, 08: Samajika Parivarthana Janandholana (SPJ) Karnataka, which aims at linking People's Movements to attain social justice has been holding a Yathra across the State in Karnataka

The "Jana Jagruti Yathra", is a people's march spearheaded by SPJ, Karnataka and NAFRE (National Alliance for Fundamental Right to Equity in Education). The Yathra  aims to generate mass awareness to bring collective pressure on state to implement CSS (Common School System), Right to Education Bill, Implement Disability Act etc.

The Yathra having moved across districts of Karnataka of Raichur, Koppal, Davangere and Chitradurga has been receiving overwhelming public support, and will now enter Bangalore City on Friday. SPJ, Bangalore Sub-Region has organized a public rally which will culminate at Town Hall at 4.00 pm on Friday, 8th February 2008.

SCHEDULE AT BANGALORE

10.30 a.m.  Rally and submission of the memorandum at the Taluka office Doddabalapur
11.30 a.m.  Protest against land acquisition and SEZs at Devenahalli
01. 00 p.m. Public meeting a t Hoskote
03:30 p.m. Protest at Town Hall along with the culmination of the Karnataka Yathra

SCHEDULE AT KOLAR
11.30  a.m.  Rally from Inspection Bungalow to Junior College Grounds
12.30 p.m. Public Meeting at Junior College Grounds

Speakers at the Rally at Kolar:

• Narayanswamy - Convenor SPJ
• Ekanath Bhaav - NEC (National Executive Committee member),NAFRE, Maharashtra
• Lakhi Das - NEC member, NAFRE, Jharkhand
• N Venkatesh - State Convenor, DSS
• Venkat Swamy - State Convenor, Samatha Sainik Dal
• Sunanda Jayaram - State Convenor - Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha
• Prabahavathi - State convenor Aadima Shakti Dalit Womens' Federation
• Representatives of the Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry alliance

This Yathra is simultaneous in the Southern States (Andhra Pradhesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Pondichery and Tamil Nadu), and will culminate in Kolar on 9th February 2009 with public rally and meeting at Government Junior College ground, Kolar.

The demands, through the Yathra are

• Protect and Ensure Child Rights 
• Implement Common School System (CSS) and ensure Quality Education 
• Implement Right to Education Bill 2006
• Increase budget allocation for Education to at least 10% 
• Implement Disability Act 1995 and ensure equal opportunities for the Disabled
• Protect Customary Rights of Adivasis and Implement Forest Rights Act 2006 
• Stop SEZ projects, prevent Displacement
• Stop globalization, privatization and liberalization
• Eliminate Communal Fascism and protect Secularism

For more information contact:
M. Narayanaswamy, State Convener, SPJ, Karnataka - 9448518396
Ms Prabhavathi - 9972003687

ABOUT SPJ:
Samajika Parivarthana Janandolana (SPJ) is a state level alliance of Dalits, Adivasi, Backward, Religious Minority, marginalized communities and several peoples struggle groups across Karnataka. SPJ closely works with NAFRE - (National Alliance for Fundamental Right to Equity in Education), a national alliance of people’s movements. Together, SPJ is involved in mobilizing the oppressed communities and strives to generate mass awareness among the people, educate them on their rights and link the people's struggle groups to raise their voice to democratize the development process.

ABOUT CRY:
Child Rights and You, (formerly known as Child Relief and You) - is India's leading advocate for child rights. CRY believes that all children are entitled to equal rights and hence must be ensured equal opportunities to live, learn, play, grow and develop - without discrimination. CRY believes that a movement for child rights is possible only when individuals from all sections of society are involved.  Over 29 years CRY has partnered with NGOs, communities, government, the media and is dedicated to mobilizing all sections of society to eliminate the root causes of deprivation, exclusion, exploitation and abuse, to ensure justice for children.