On Fri, Apr 22, 2011 at 12:37 PM, Ricken Patel - Avaaz.org
<avaaz AT avaaz DOT org>wrote:

> Dear friends,
>
>    <http://www.avaaz.org/en/singh_stop_the_slander/?cl=1026965475&v=8924>
>
> Corrupt *politicians have launched a vicious smear campaign* against civil
> society members of the jan lokpal committee. Our best hope for a strong jan
> lokpal is to fight these dirty tactics at every turn. *Call on PM Singh to
> expose the ministers behind the smears and kick them off the committee.*We'll 
> deliver the petition in mobile billboards around Delhi:
>
> [image: Sign the 
> petition!]<http://www.avaaz.org/en/singh_stop_the_slander/?cl=1026965475&v=8924>
> Last week, millions of us were shocked to read that our anti-corruption
> crusader Anna Hazare was backing down on key demands of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
> But *the reports were false. Who spread them? A Minister* on the bill
> drafting committee.
>
> Now the press is full of new allegations against other civil society
> representatives on the Committee. We knew *those in power would do
> anything to stall and derail the Jan Lokpal Bill*. Now they have put their
> media-spin machine into full-swing to smear our leaders and divide the
> movement.
>
> Our only hope for a strong Jan Lokpal is to stand up to every dirty tactic
> the politicians use to kill it. *Let's raise a massive call for PM Singh
> to rein in the smear campaign*, identify those Ministers responsible and
> kick them off the committee by the next meeting on May 2nd. When the
> petition reaches 100,000, we’ll cover Delhi with mobile billboards and
> follow PM Singh around until the Lokpal process is cleaned up:
>
> http://www.avaaz.org/en/singh_stop_the_slander/?vl<http://www.avaaz.org/en/singh_stop_the_slander/?cl=1026965475&v=8924>
>
> Earlier this week, *an anonymous Minister sent key journalists an SMS*saying 
> civil society representatives were caving to government pressure. The
> SMS said: “Civil Society members have Diluted their own draft a lot. It is
> now a far more doable draft than earlier. They have diluted the provision
> that Cabinet Ministers could be suspended. Judges cud be suspended. Also
> does not mention the Lokpal having powers of Appointing and Disciplinary
> Authority.” None of this was true -- *the sms was a trap for the media to
> run a story that would sow doubt* across the nation, and pull our movement
> apart.
>
> Then, an audio CD was anonymously delivered to the media that allegedly
> records Shanti Bhushan, the civil society co-chair of the drafting
> committee, bribing judges to influence decisions. The Bhushans quickly
> proved through an independent lab that the CD was doctored, but yesterday
> the government laboratory issued a report that disagrees, claiming it needs
> more material for a conclusive finding.
>
> Only an independent investigation with adequate evidence can make a
> judgment on the CD story. But what is already clear is that the government
> has used spurious sources, deception and inconclusive evidence to *wage
> war in the media to create a storm of public confusion*.
>
> Let us have no doubt *the Jan Lokpal Bill is a serious threat to high up
> officials and politicians* who are used to the shroud of impunity. For 42
> years governments have found ways to bury it, and this smear campaign is not
> a surprise. But this is our Bill and if we are vigilant and stick together
> with one voice over the next few months, we have a unique chance to truly
> take on corruption.
>
> Let's tell the government that *we condemn the smear tactics and are not
> distracted by conspiracy and doubt*. Sign the petition to stop the slander
> and start the clean up:
>
> http://www.avaaz.org/en/singh_stop_the_slander/?vl<http://www.avaaz.org/en/singh_stop_the_slander/?cl=1026965475&v=8924>
>
> “Divide and Rule” is how the British oppressed us for 200 years and that is
> exactly what the Government is doing now. As we come together to free
> ourselves from the deception and impunity that handicap our great nation,
> let’s demand that our political and civil society leaders act as the
> exemplars they should be, and start work to get a strong Jan Lokpal Bill to
> rid India of the scourge of corruption.
>
> With hope and determination,
>
> Ricken, Saloni, Shibayan, Ben, Alice and the whole Avaaz team.
>
>
> SOURCES:
>
> The Lokpal plot thickens:
>
> http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/guest-writer/the-lokpal-plot-thickens/articleshow/8033546.cms
>
> Efforts underway to delay Lokpal bill:
>
> http://www.rediff.com/news/report/efforts-underway-to-delay-lok-pal-bill-feels-insider/20110419.htm
>
> Lokpal activists -- smear campaign to discredit us:
> http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?718979
>
> How the Government is keeping the Lokpal at bay:
> http://www.governancenow.com/views/columns/keeping-lokpal-bay
>
> Anna Hazare’s letter to Sonia Gandhi about the smears:
> http://www.sahilonline.org/english/news.php?cid=3&nid=10798
>
> Sonia Gandhi responds to Hazare’s letter:
>
> http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/story/sonia-gandhi-plays-safe-on-anna-hazare-letter/1/135871.html
>
> India Against Corruptions posts SMS and smear campaign details:
> https://www.facebook.com/IndiACor?sk=notes
>
> The Bhushan fight continues:
> http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/21/stories/2011042160370100.htm
>
>
> ------------------------------
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