Common Cause

Common Cause is committed to advocating for public causes and upholding the principles of probity in public life and the integrity of institutions. Ov Read moreer time, it has established a reputation for its initiatives, advocacy efforts, and public interest litigations (PILs). Common Cause's mission revolves around promoting democracy, fostering good governance, and driving reforms in public policy through a combination of advocacy, interventions, and engagement with policymakers. This includes the dissemination of ideas, organizing events, and launching campaigns. As a registered society with a membership exceeding 2500 individuals across the nation, Common Cause operates with a dedicated team of professionals led by a Director cum Chief Executive. It is guided by a Governing Council composed of distinguished citizens, with a President at the helm. The organization thrives on pro bono support from some of India's most renowned lawyers, policymakers, and development thinkers. Its activities primarily rely on grants and voluntary contributions from members, friends, and supporters. Common Cause has made a significant impact through its numerous PILs filed in the Supreme Court and High Courts, as well as cases brought before the National Commission established under the Consumer Protection Act. Notably, one of its earliest cases focused on pensioner issues, benefiting nearly four million pensioners through landmark Supreme Court judgments. The organization's interventions have continued to result in significant judgments that positively affect the lives of millions. Some recent notable achievements in the Supreme Court include the cancellation of telecom spectrum allocations, the cancellation of arbitrarily allocated captive coal blocks with directives for transparent auctions, and the declaration of Section 66A of the IT Act as unconstitutional, thus safeguarding freedom of expression in the cyber space. Additionally, Common Cause has successfully campaigned against the misuse of public funds through self-congratulatory political advertisements. Common Cause actively participates in government and parliamentary committees, offering representations and proposals on various issues, such as consumer protection, taxation reforms, public health, housing, right to information, right to education, and employment generation. The organization has also organized seminars addressing critical governance topics and conducted symposiums exploring new paradigms in self-governance, underscoring its commitment to advancing public causes and fostering positive change in society.