Anna Hazare Warns of Indefinite Hunger Strike From July 5 Over RTI Rule Changes

Ahmed Nagar: Veteran social activist Anna Hazare has threatened to launch an indefinite hunger strike from July 5, 2026, if the Maharashtra government does not immediately withdraw recent amendments made to the state’s Right to Information (RTI) Rules.

In a sharply-worded letter addressed to Maharastra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Hazare asserted that the new guidelines—notified on June 12—significantly dilute the transparency of the landmark RTI Act, 2005. Major Objections Raised by Hazare The 90-year-old anti-corruption crusader flagged 11 key pain points in the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026, claiming they “blunt the edge” of public transparency:

Hazare strongly criticized the decision to increase fees, stating that the RTI is a transparency mechanism and not a “revenue-generating law.” He argued that if fees are increased, the penalties for officials who illegally deny information should be hiked proportionately.

The new rules force citizens to submit official ID proof. Hazare warned that Section 6(2) of the original central Act explicitly states applicants do not need to share personal details, and enforcing this rule will actively endanger whistleblowers and activists.

Hazare opposed the “one subject, one application” limitation and the provision to summarily close recurring requests, calling them unnecessary roadblocks designed to discourage common citizens.

If the state government fails to roll back the amendments, Hazare stated he will begin his fast at the Yadav Baba Temple in his native village of Ralegan Siddhi. “I am ready to sacrifice my life to safeguard the RTI Act. In this country, the public is the master and the officers are the servants. But now, officers are acting as if they are the masters.”— Anna Hazare