Will start fast from July 5 if changes in RTI rules not withdrawn: Anna Hazare

Social activist Anna Hazare. File | Photo credit: PTI

Social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday (June 23, 2026) warned the BJP-led Maharashtra government to withdraw “illegal” changes to the Right to Information (RTI) rules or face an indefinite hunger strike from July 5.

Questioning the need for changes, Mr Hazare said, “Why are such absurd changes being made in the law if the intention is not to weaken the RTI Act? If a satisfactory solution is found in the meeting held on the matter the next day at 4 pm, the fast will be called off or the agitation will continue.”

Mr Hazare led agitations in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2006 to implement the RTI Act. “We fought for so many years, traveled all over the country to create awareness and after 20 years here we are again,” he added.

On June 12, the Maharashtra government made amendments that Mr. Hazare claimed violated the spirit of the RTI Act 2005. Mr. Hazare wrote a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis pointing out that the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026 would prevent people from accessing information and limit transparency.

The RTI amendments include tripling the application fee from ₹10 to ₹30 without a clear financial analysis, making identification mandatory, limiting up to 150 words and barring multiple queries in a single submission.

He said on the mandatory pass: “The provision puts whistleblowers and activists at risk” and objected to the fee increase, saying: “This is not about generating funds”.

Other rules direct applicants to state the purpose of filing an RTI; no legal representation during Information Commission hearings; the case will be dismissed in case of absence at the hearing; and prohibition of repeated applications.

Published – 23 Jun 2026 09:38 IST