Lok Samiti: A Gandhian People’s Movement for Social Transformation

12 February 2026, Hazaribagh: Lok Samiti, a non-party Gandhian people’s organization, was founded on 30 June 1977 by the renowned freedom fighter and Sarvodaya leader Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), who also served as its first National President. The organization was envisioned as a peaceful, non-political platform to promote accountability in governance and strengthen Indian democracy through constructive social action.

Over the years, Lok Samiti has led several significant initiatives, including a 33-day bicycle rally from Patna to Delhi (1987) demanding the inclusion of the “Right to Work” as a Fundamental Right, peaceful redistribution of 550 acres of land to the poor in Chatra (1988), Bihar and Jharkhand Jagaran Yatras, the Manav Jodo Campaign promoting inter-caste and inter-faith harmony, and advocacy on Panchayati Raj, women’s empowerment, land reforms, Right to Information, disability rehabilitation, health, education, disaster relief, and electoral reforms.

Under the leadership of then National General Secretary Shri Girija Satish, the Sampoorna Parivartan Yatra (2013) in Bihar focused on governance reforms, prohibition, and social justice. Following sustained public mobilization—particularly by women—Bihar implemented prohibition in April 2016. Lok Samiti has continued its anti-liquor movement in Jharkhand and nationally, organizing state-level conferences, a Liquor-Free Jharkhand Campaign (2017), and a National Conference against alcohol at Rajghat, New Delhi (March 2018), demanding a strong nationwide anti-liquor law.

Lok Samiti believes that moral and social transformation—central to JP’s vision of “Total Revolution”—is threatened by the growing social and governmental acceptance of alcohol. The organization continues to advocate prohibition, eradication of social evils and superstition, communal harmony, and women’s empowerment as essential pillars of a just and progressive society.

Lok Samiti invites citizens committed to non-violence and peaceful social change to join this movement for building a more equitable and ethical India.