An Urgent Message
In India, lawbreakers are lawmakers
Dear friends,
The Supreme Court just boldly ruled to kick criminals out of politics -- a landmark step to clean up Parliament! But now those same gangsters are trying to overturn these rulings. And only we can stop them.
In any other serious democracy the Supreme Court bans would be a base line -- politicians convicted of crimes should lose their seats and if you are in jail you cannot stand for election. Basic stuff! But according to reports, 30% of our parliamentarians have criminal charges against them. Some MPs are fighting back to cling to power and now the Attorney General is doing them a favour advising they change the Constitution. It's our people power vs criminal politics - lets block them now.
The AG's Constitutional reform could happen in days. We can't let this extraordinary chance to finally clean up Indian politics be wrecked by the crooks. Let's massively support the Supreme Court and directly slam the Attorney General and MPs. Click now to sign this urgent petition to cast out the criminals -- Avaaz will deliver it directly to all three arms of government:Â
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/cast_out_the_criminals_3/?tyTYUcb
An incredible 30% of parliamentarians have some sort of criminal charges against them. They've managed to hold onto power because of a major loophole in the law and remain in office if they simply appealed a conviction within three months of receiving a guilty verdict. This new Supreme Court order means that anyone convicted from now onwards loses their seat immediately -- making this a monumental step towards cleaning up the criminalisation of politics.
Looking at the shameful disruptions of Parliament sessions on TV, it's clear that parliamentarians love to debate and disagree. But when it comes to saving their skin, they are all united. An all-party meeting was called and all political parties have agreed to challenge the Supreme Court judgement. They are even considering a law that allows them to appoint judges of their choice -- recklessly threatening our democracy even further.
The politicians plans to keep the crooks are starting to be made public. So let's blindside them now with a massive cry of support for the independence and activism of the Supreme Court -- one of India’s finest institutions -- and tell the Attorney General and Parliament to back off. Click below to create a media wave of support to clean up Parliament:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/cast_out_the_criminals_3/?tyTYUcb
Years ago Avaaz took on a similar battle in Brazil to help clean up its democracy, pushing forward a powerful bill to ban corrupt politicians from public office when everybody said it was impossible. India is a far older democracy and the world’s largest, with millions of people hoping for a change. Let’s get every citizen who cares to join this call to cast out the criminals!
With hope and determination,
Alaphia, Pascal, Meredith, Oliver, Ricken, Laura and all the Avaaz team
More Information:
Government may amend Constitution to counter Supreme Court ruling on convicted lawmakers (NDTV)
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/govt-may-amend-constitution-to-counter-supreme-court-ruling-on-convicted-lawmakers-403229?curl=1376015871
Criminal Charges Raise Chance of Election Win (India Real Time)
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2013/07/30/criminal-charges-raise-chance-of-election-in-india/
MPs, MLAs to be disqualified on date of criminal conviction (Hindu Times)
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mps-mlas-to-be-disqualified-on-date-of-criminal-conviction/article4901596.ece
Samajwadi Party takes lead to oppose Supreme Court ruling aimed at keeping criminals out of politics (India Today)
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/samajwadi-party-opposes-supreme-court-ruling-aimed-at-keeping-criminals-out-of-politics/1/291637.html
In India, lawbreakers are lawmakers (Global Post)
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/india/130801/india-lawbreakers-are-lawmakers
Join Your Voice With AVAAZ
Amar Jit Singh Chandi