Fwd: Jan Lokpal’s final hours
prajwal raju
From: "Emma Ruby-Sachs - Avaaz.org" <av...@avaaz.org>
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:56:26 -0500
Subject: Jan Lokpal’s final hours
To: "prajw...@gmail.com" <prajw...@gmail.com>
Dear friends across India,
Cabinet has just endorsed a bill that puts the Prime Minister under
the ambit of the Lokpal - it’s a huge victory for all of us! But a
much bigger fight will start in less than 24 hours - one that could
throw everything we’ve fought for straight into the wastebasket.
The Cabinet’s bill would handcuff the Lokpal committee, allowing it to
go only after corruption cases previously ‘green-lit’ by the
government. This is outrageous - without the independence to
investigate and prosecute, Jan Lokpal would effectively lack the teeth
it needs to fight the corruption that holds India hostage.
Now it’s the Parliament’s turn to vote - and they go into session in
less than 24 hours! Let’s tell our MPs that we will not sit idly by
while it tries to gut the Lokpal in the last stages. Sign below and
forward to everyone you know - we will fax thousands of signatures to
MPs offices across the country before the voting begins:
(CAMPAIGN_URL)
It was India’s people power that stopped the Prime Minister from
getting immunity from Lokpal - without our one million signatures,
thousands of faxes, dozens of stunts, and giant billboard right across
the street from the Parliament, this victory would’ve not been
possible! Above all, this win sends a powerful message - that no one,
not even the most powerful person in India, should be immune from
punishment for corruption.
But the Cabinet also found time to sneak in dangerous provisions to
the same bill that could undo all our hard work in seconds. If they
get what they want, the Lokpal committee would be powerless to
initiate any investigations on their own, and instead only be allowed
to handle cases that are first approved by the Central Bureau of
Investigation - a government agency with a notorious reputation for
inaction. This way, even if the PM were to be suspected of corruption,
the CBI could easily stop the Lokpal from investigating, let alone
prosecuting him!
Anna Hazare knows that the new Lokpal bill is toothless -- and has
decided to go on a three-day fast in protest. We have no time to
waste. Let’s join Team Anna and show our MPs that we will stand for
nothing less than a strong and independent Jan Lokpal:
(CAMPAIGN_URL)
We are so close to the finish line - for months, our voices have
combined to build the most powerful anti-corruption bill that India’s
ever seen from the ground up. Let’s unite at this final hour and show
them once more that resilient people power can face down even the
toughest vested interests!
With hope and determination,
Emma, Jamie, Shibayan, Shivendra, Luis, Benj and all us at Avaaz
SOURCES:
Times of India: Govt should bring CBI under Lokpal, say Bedi
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Govt-should-bring-CBI-under-Lokpal-say-Bedi/articleshow/11151189.cms
CNN-IBN: Govt Lokpal Bill is like a post office: Kejriwal
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/govt-lokpal-bill-is-like-a-post-office-kejriwal/213858-37-64.html
Deccan Herald: Why CBI is critical
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/213223/why-cbi-critical.html
Hindustan Times: Lokpal to be tabled in Lok Sabha tomorrow
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/Lokpal-to-be-tabled-in-Lok-Sabha-tomorrow/Article1-785198.aspx
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