Anna Hazare Announces Indefinite Fast From July 5, Demands Rollback of Maharashtra’s New RTI Rules
Pune/Ahilyanagar, 22 June 2026: Social activist Anna Hazare has announced an indefinite fast from July 5 at Yadav Baba Temple in Ralegan Siddhi, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Maharashtra government’s recently notified Right to Information (RTI) Rules, 2026, which he alleged weaken the spirit of the transparency law and place fresh hurdles before citizens seeking information.
In a detailed letter addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Hazare said the amendments and provisions introduced on June 12 were “illegal” and contrary to the original objectives of the RTI Act. He warned that if the state government failed to revoke the rules, he would begin an indefinite hunger strike from July 5 in the interest of protecting citizens’ right to information.
Recalling his long association with the RTI movement, Hazare said he had campaigned across Maharashtra for transparency and had undertaken multiple fasts between 2003 and 2006 to strengthen the law. He argued that the new rules dilute the effectiveness of the RTI framework by making access to information more expensive, restrictive and cumbersome.
Among his key objections are the increase in application and appeal fees, mandatory submission of identity documents, the “one subject-one application” rule, provisions allowing authorities to reject repetitive applications, and requirements that may compel applicants to disclose the purpose for seeking information.
Hazare contended that the enhanced fees would disproportionately affect ordinary citizens and discourage them from filing RTI applications. He also questioned why penalties imposed on officials for withholding information had not been increased alongside the fee revision.
The activist further argued that mandatory identity proof could compromise the privacy and safety of RTI applicants, particularly whistleblowers and citizens exposing corruption. He said the requirement runs contrary to Section 6(2) of the RTI Act, which states that applicants are not required to provide reasons or personal details while seeking information.
Hazare also criticised provisions that permit dismissal of appeals if applicants fail to attend hearings repeatedly and rules under which pending second appeals may be closed upon the death of an applicant. Such measures, he said, undermine citizens’ access to information and could benefit erring officials.
He further opposed restrictions preventing appellants from being represented by lawyers before the Information Commission, arguing that many citizens lack the legal expertise required to effectively present their cases in quasi-judicial proceedings.
Hazare said the government’s priority should instead be to fill vacancies in information commissions, expedite hearings, clear the large backlog of appeals and ensure effective implementation of Section 4 of the RTI Act, which mandates proactive disclosure of information by public authorities.
“The RTI Act is not a favour extended by the government but a constitutional right of citizens. Any attempt to make access to information difficult, costly or restrictive is harmful to democracy,” Hazare said in the letter.
The social activist also questioned why the government did not hold wider consultations with RTI activists, journalists, legal experts and citizens before notifying the new rules. He maintained that transparency should be strengthened through greater digitisation and proactive disclosures rather than by imposing additional procedural and financial barriers on applicants.
