Newsinc24 Team
Activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike from July 5 if the Maharashtra government fails to withdraw the recently introduced amendments to the Right to Information (RTI) Rules, calling them “illegal” and against the spirit of transparency.According to media reports,in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday, Hazare said the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026, would “blunt the edge” of the RTI Act and restrict citizens’ access to information. He claimed the amendments notified on June 12 violate the principles of the RTI Act, 2005, and weaken transparency mechanisms.
#WATCH | Ralegan Siddhi, Maharashtra: On reports of him launching fast if the Maharashtra govt does not immediately withdraw the amendments made to RTI Rules, Social activist Anna Hazare says, "...All decisions will be taken at 4 pm the day after tomorrow. Had it not been the… pic.twitter.com/Uq9LTEhKFZ
— ANI (@ANI) June 23, 2026
Hazare raised objections to several provisions introduced under the amended rules, including the increase in application fees. He questioned the absence of any financial analysis or justification behind the fee hike.“RTI is not a revenue-generating law. If fees are raised after 20 years, penalties on officers who deny information should also be increased,” Hazare said in his letter.He also opposed the requirement of submitting identity proof while filing RTI applications, stating that Section 6(2) of the RTI Act does not require applicants to reveal personal details or reasons for seeking information. According to Hazare, such a condition could put whistleblowers and activists at risk.
The activist criticised the “one subject, one application” provision, calling it unnecessary and burdensome for citizens. He also objected to the rule allowing repeat applications to be closed summarily, arguing that it could prevent people from accessing complete or updated information.Other concerns raised by Hazare include seeking the purpose behind RTI applications, dismissing appeals if applicants remain absent during hearings, automatic closure of cases after an applicant’s death, and restrictions on legal assistance before the Information Commission.
Hazare said the amended rules shift the burden onto citizens instead of addressing shortcomings in the system. He highlighted that Section 4 of the RTI Act, which requires proactive disclosure of information by public authorities, remains inadequately implemented, forcing people to file applications.“Making the process more technical, costly and administration-centric will reduce transparency,” Hazare said, adding that the amendments were introduced without public consultation.The anti-corruption activist, who has led RTI-related movements in Maharashtra since 1998 and undertaken several fasts, said he would continue his protest if the government does not reconsider the changes.
“If the June 12 amendments are not revoked immediately, I will begin my fast on July 5 at Yadav Baba Temple, Ralegan Siddhi, even if it costs my life,” Hazare said in the letter.Hazare urged the Maharashtra government to withdraw the revised rules and focus on strengthening proactive disclosure under the RTI framework instead of creating additional restrictions for applicants.
