Claiming that whistleblowers have lost confidence in institutions like Central Vigilance Commission and the laws aimed at protecting them in fight against corruption, civil society members today launched Citizens' Whistle Blower Forum (CWBF) to help them "expose" graft.
Speaking to reporters after conclusion of two-day 'Act Now - National Convention on Corruption' here, Swaraj Abhiyan leader Prashant Bhushan said the forum will endeavour to expose corruption, file PIL and get such matters probed if there was inaction and make efforts to ensure the whistleblowers are protected.
Bhushan said the "apolitical" forum will ensure that the identities of whistleblowers are protected. He said the forum will not be affiliated to any political party.
Also Read
He said the CWBF will take up complaints from across the country. The forum also released an email address citizenswhistleblowerforum@gmail.Com where whistleblowers can send their complaints.
Besides Bhushan, Justices (Retd) AP Shah and Santosh Hegde, Admiral Ramdas, ex-National Commission for Minorities chairman Wajahat Habibullah, social activist Aruna Roy, former secretary in the Central government EAS Sarma and Association of Democratic Reform founder Jagdeep Chhokar are part of the forum's board of directors.
"It has been noted government's CVC failed as it did not have separate investigating wings. The Whistleblowers Protection Act, 2011, which was given consent by the President in 2014, has not been made effective yet.
"Given this, people have lost faith in CVC and protection of whistleblowers. So, we thought of forming a whistleblowers' forum of civil society," Bhushan said.
Bhushan criticised the AAP for not keeping its promise of bringing in a strong Lokayukta in Delhi and accused party chief Arvind Kejriwal of compromising its views on corruption. He also termed as unfortunate the "virtual dissolution" of India Against Corruption (IAC) movement in the run up to formation of AAP.
Responding to a query, Bhushan said the civil society members had not tried to rope in crusader Anna Hazare in the forum, but added, "we want each citizen, whoever wants to fight corruption, should join us. People from across the country took part in the convention."
Accompanied by social activist Nikhil Dey, Bhushan said the convention was attended by around 1000 people.
"We discussed conditions of judiciary, Right to Information Act, anti-corruption laws and decided to form units of the forum at state and district-levels. These units will work towards improvement of laws and institutions. A nationwide agitation would be launched against corruption," the lawyer said.
The convention was attended also by former Union Law Minister Shanti Bhushan, Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav, Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai, among others.
