New Delhi: A group of over 120 former civil servants, human rights activists, academicians and activists have expressed distress over the potential expulsion of Mahua Moitra, a member of parliament, for “raising genuine concerns about a corporate group’s activities”. This action, they said, can have far-reaching public interest implications.In a statement issued on November 15 (Wednesday), they argued that the allegations against her should undergo parliamentary and judicial scrutiny before any expulsion. “We feel that the issues arising in the case of Ms Moitra cannot be viewed narrowly as being an inter-corporate conflict of interest. They are more in the nature of issues arising in the case of one corporate entity and the people of India. Unless those issues are examined as outlined below in their entirety, we feel that the Parliament will be doing a grave injustice to itself and also to Ms Moitra,” read the statement.It questioned whether the political executive, instead of investigating reports of corporate misconduct, is using its power to silence dissent. The statement also highlighted concerns about corporate influence in politics, citing the dilution of laws, the introduction of Electoral Bonds, and the lack of transparency in political donations. “Ms Moitra’s participation in the Parliamentary proceedings brought to light many issues of importance that the people of this country would never have been privy to. Her THREATENED exit from the Parliament will certainly create a void in the continuing discourse on such issues,” it said.Reproduced below is the full text of the statement.§Expulsion of Mahua Moitra is against public interest!Statement by concerned citizensDate: 15.11.2023As concerned citizens, we wish to express our anguish and distress at the way Ms Mahua Moitra, a distinguished Member of Parliament has been treated for raising genuine concerns about a corporate group’s activities that could have far-reaching public interest implications.From news reports (https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/lok-sabha-ethics-panel-suggests-disqualification-for-tmc-mp-mahua-moitra/article67516744.ece), we understand that Ms Moitra may face expulsion from the Parliament on the basis of certain allegations which are yet to be subjected to strict Parliamentary and judicial scrutiny in compliance with established norms of natural justice.There are larger issues that arise from this with regard to the necessity of the political executive remaining accountable to the Parliament and the public at large.We feel that the issues arising in the case of Ms Moitra cannot be viewed narrowly as being an inter-corporate conflict of interest. They are more in the nature of issues arising in the case of one corporate entity and the people of India. Unless those issues are examined as outlined below in their entirety, we feel that the Parliament will be doing a grave injustice to itself and also to Ms Moitra.When there are reports of a corporate entity failing to comply with the rule of law and established norms of corporate governance, should the executive and/or a Joint Parliamentary Committee as demanded by several political parties, instead of enquiring into the veracity of those reports and placing the facts before the Parliament and the public, use its power of privilege with is meant for public good to question those who raise those concerns, intimidate them and gag dissent? Does not such conduct on the part of the executive hurt the public interest?At one time, the Companies Act prohibited corporate donations to political parties. As electoral corruption and profligacy in election expenditure started increasing, successive governments chose to dilute that Act to permit private companies to fund elections. During the last nine years, the present government went far beyond that and opened the floodgates to corporate donations, including donations from foreign sources. As if that was not enough, it introduced a highly regressive system of Electoral Bonds that have permitted political parties to receive donations from anonymous individuals and corporate bodies, which in turn deprived the citizens of their “right to know” under Article 19 of the Constitution. This has made it easy for private companies to fund the political parties and, in turn, influence them to grant them quid pro quos in terms of dilution of environmental and other laws and compromising institutions to suit their interests.In the instant case, the manner in which the political executive has responded to questions on instances of irregularities in corporate governance highlights the strong nexus that exists between the political executive and big businesses and its deleterious implications for the public interest.Ms Moitra’s participation in the Parliamentary proceedings brought to light many issues of importance that the people of this country would never have been privy to. Her THREATENED exit from the Parliament will certainly create a void in the continuing discourse on such issues.With specific reference to the matter concerning Ms Moitra, we wish to place on record the following concerns:1. Natural justice requires that a person facing an accusation be given adequate opportunity to have access to all evidence put forward in support of such an accusation, cross-examine witnesses, if any, who have made such an accusation and present his/her case in detail, without which the process of considering the veracity of that accusation may stand vitiated from the point of view of the principles of natural justice2. If an accused person were to be penalised, the penalty needs to be in proportion to the extent the accusation is established beyond all doubt3. The expulsion of a member of any legislature is a serious matter which has wider implications for our democracy. It calls for a careful examination and circumspection on the part of the Parliament and the other legislative bodies before such a far reaching decision is taken.We once again wish to place on record our serious concern at the reported action to expel her from the Parliament.We sincerely hope that the Hon’ble Speaker to whom Ms Moitra has addressed a detailed letter (https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/peeping-tom-government-anyone-who-speaks-up-is-being-targeted-mahua-moitra-to-india-today-2456559-2023-11-01) will allow her to continue as a Member of the Parliament and add value to its proceedings.Signatories:1. E A S Sarma, IAS (Retd)2. M G Devasahayam IAS (Retd)3. Prabhat Patnaik, Professor Emeritus, JNU New Delhi4. Thomas Franco, Former GS, AIBOC & Dy. Chair, Global Labour University5. Anil Sadagopal, Former Member, CABE, Educationalist, Bhopal6. A. Selvaraj, IRS (Retd.)7. Abha Bhaiya, Social Activist.8. Abhijit Sengupta, IAS (Retd)9. Aditi Mehta, IAS Retd. Former Addl. Chief Secretary, Rajasthan.10. Aloysius Irudayam, Researcher & Human Rights Activist, Madurai11. Amanullah Khan, Former President, All India Insurance Employees Association12. Amita Buch, Ahmedabad13. Anita Agnihotri, IAS (Retd)14. Aruna Roy, Mazdoor Kissan Shakthi Sankatan15. Arundhati Dhuru, National Alliance of Peoples Movements.16. Arvind Kaul, IAS (Retd), Former Chief Secretary, Himachal Pradesh17. Asha Mishra, General Secretary All India Peoples Science Network, N. Delhi18. Ashok Choudhary, Peoples Union of Forest Rights19. Ashok Kumar Sharma, IFS (Retd)20. Ashok Vajpayee, IAS (Retd.)21. Ashoke Chatterjee, New Delhi22. Asmi Sharma. Jan Sorokar23. Aurobindo Behera, IAS (Retd.)24. Bobby Ramakant, CNS and Socialist Party (India)25. Brijesh Kumar, IAS (Retd.)26. Brinelle D’Souza, Academic & Activist, Mumbai, Co-Convener Jan Swasthya Abhiyan27. C. K. Ganguly (Bablu) Former & Social Worker28. Captain S. Prabhala IN (Retd), Bangalore29. D Gopalakrishnan, Socialist Party of India, Karnataka30. Deb Mukharji, IFS (Retd.)31. Delfina K. S. Gender Rights Activist, NIRANGAL, Chennai32. Dr. Anirban Bhattacharrya, Financial Action Network of India33. Dr. Archana Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru University34. Dr. Dinesh Abrol, AIPSN & People First35. Dr. Indira Jayasingh, Senior Council, Supreme Court36. Dr. Janakarajan, Former Professor, Madras Institute of Development Studies37. Dr. M. C. Rajan, Human Rights Lawyer, Madras High Court38. Dr. Nityanand Jayaraman, Chennai Solidary Group39. Dr. P. Sainath, Journalist, Peoples Archives of India40. Dr. Praveen Jha, Jawaharlal Nehru University41. Dr. Prof. Jagdeep Chokker (Rtd) – Association for Democratic Rights42. Dr. Ram Puniyani, All India Secular Forum43. Dr. S. P. Udayakumar, Pasumai Thamizhaham44. Dr. Sabyasachi Chatterjee, Retd Scientist, IISC. Science Communicator45. Dr. Satinath Choudhary, social-political activist46. Dr. Sebastian Morris, Goa Institute of Management Former Professor IIM, Ahmedabad47. Dr. Sreedhar Ramamurthi, Environics Trust48. Dr. Suman Sahai, Gene Campaign49. Dr. Sushil Khanna Professor Retd, IIM Kolkatta50. Dr. T. M. Thomas Issac, Former Finance Minister of Kerala51. Dr. Vasanthi Devi, Former VC, Manonmaniam Sundharanar University, Tamilnadu52. Dr. Venkatesh Athreya, Prof. of Economics (Retd) Bharatidasan University, Trichirapalli.53. Dr. Vivek Monteiro, Trade Unionist, Science Educator, Mumbai54. F.T.R. Colaso, IPS (Retd)55. G. Sundar Rajan, Poovulagin Nanbargal, Tamilnadu56. Gopalakrishnan D. General Secretary, Socialist Party, Karnataka57. Gopalan Balagopal, IAS (Retd.)58. Gurjit Singh Cheema, IAS (Retd.)59. Harsh Mander, IAS (Retd.)60. Henri Tiphague, People’s Watch, Madurai, Working General Secretary. HRDA61. Inamul Harsan, Social Harmony Foundation, Chennai62. Ish Kumar, IPS (Retd.)63. Jawhar Sircar, IAS (Retd) Member of Parliament & Former Secretary, GOI64. Joe Athialy, Financial Accountability Network of India65. John Dayal, Writer & Activist, Delhi66. Jothi S. J. Kolkata67. Kavitha Kabeer, Social Activist, FAN India68. Kavitha Kuruganti, Social Activist, Bangalore69. Lakhwinder Gill. IAS (Retd).70. Mahi Pal Singh, Secretary, Indian Renaissance Institute, New Delhi71. Maj. Gen. Dr. Sudhir Vombatkare, Mysuru72. Malay Mishra, IFS (Retd.)73. Maxwell Pereira, IPS (Retd.)74. Meena Gupta, IAS (Retd.)75. Meera Sanghamitra, National Alliance of People’s Movements76. Mira Pande, IAS (Retd.)77. Nagalsamy, IA&AS (Retd.)78. Navrekha Sharma, IFS (Retd.)79. Nikhil Dey, MKSS80. Noor Mohammad, IAS (Retd.)81. P. Joy Oommen, IAS (Retd.)82. P.R. Dasgupta, IAS (Retd.)83. Padamvir Singh, IAS (Retd.84. Pamela Philipose, senior journalist, New Delhi85. Paranjoy Guha Thakurtha, Independent Writer, Publisher & Filmmaker86. PMS Malik, IFS (Retd.)87. Prakash Louis, Social Activist88. Pramod Gouri, Associate Professor (Rtd) Haryana89. Premkumar Menon, IAS (Retd.)90. Priyadarshini, Delhi Forum in Solidarity91. Prof Jagmohan Singh, Chairperson, All India Forum for Right To Education92. Prof Prajit K. Basu (Retired)93. Prof Sandeep Pandey, General Secretary, Socialist Party (India)94. Prof Shobha Shukla, Lucknow95. Prof. Raghavan Rangarajan96. Professor Surinder Kumar, Institute of Social Sciences97. Raghavan Srinivasan, Lok Raj Sangathan98. Ranjan Solomon, Goa99. Ravi Vira, IAS (Retd.)100. Raynah Marise, National Convener, Indian Christian Women’s Movement101. Rosamma Thomas, Social Activist102. Rudi Warjri, IFS (Retd.)103. S.K. Guha, IAS (Retd.)104. S.P. Ambrose, IAS (Retd.)105. S.P. Shukla IAS (Retd) Former Secretary, GOI106. Sandeep Pandey, General Secretary, Socialist Party (India)107. Sankar Singh, MKSS108. Satwant Reddy, IAS (Retd.)109. Sehjo Singh, Rights Activist, Maharashtra110. Shabnam Hashmi, Social Activist, ANHAD111. Sharad Behar, IAS (Retd.)112. Sobha Nambisan, IAS (Retd.)113. SR Darapuri IPS (Retd)114. Sudhir Kumar, IAS (Retd.)115. Sundar Burra, IAS (Retd.)116. Surendra Nath, IAS (Retd.)117. Suresh K. Goel, IFS (Retd.)118. T.R. Raghunandan, IAS (Retd.)119. Umasankari Naren, Farmer &Social Activist120. V. P. Raja, IAS (Retd)121. V. Sridhar, Journalist122. Veppala Balakrishnan, Former Spl. Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, GOI123. Vishwas S. Bhamburkar, Socialist Party
