In a tremendous show of commitment to eeping the Right to Information (RTI) Act 2005 untouched, former Prime Minister V.P Singh along with senior leaders of the Left Parties closed ranks here today to reiterate their strong and firm opposition to the proposed amendments of the RTI Act, both inside and outside Parliament.

Speaking at a press conference at Jantar Mantar on the 7th day of the dharna by the Campaign to Save the Right to Information here today, Shri V.P Singh said that having made this law with such great difficulty, it was a matter of regret that those who wanted to hide their wrongdoings behind a purdah had conspired to take a step back. "We extend strong support to the Campaign and oppose the amendments," he declared. He also suggested that the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should speak to all; not only to those in Parliament but also to those who were in the Campaign.

Prakash Karat, General Secretary, CPI(M) explained that the Left parties had demanded to know why the government wanted to bring in these amendments, and if there was any specific area or issue within the RTI Act which was a source of problem. "We have not got any proper answers till date. We know this (the amendments) will not get passed in this session. In fact, we have told them not to introduce the Bill at all. If there is no agreement in the coalition then it will not come up even in the next session," he categorically stated.

"We do not feel there is any need to amend the Act. So we have given the vote in your support," articulated Comrade A.B Bardhan, General Secretary, CPI, recognizing that the weapon of file notings being open to public scrutiny was very important and would ensure that bureaucrats thought carefully about the decisions they took and politicians, about the pressures they put. If they have any problems, they must come out and talk openly, he added.

"I am not banking on any change of heart by Manmohan Singh. I know that they cannot pass this without our support, so rest assured," he reiterated. D Raja, National Secretary, CPI stressed that his party "would not tolerate any dilution in the RTI Act" and would oppose the amendments wholeheartedly.

Expressing his support, Abni Roy of the RSP said that the government wanted to make RTI into NTI (NO to Information). "we will oppose this move both inside and outside the Parliament." This view was also echoed by Devarajan (Forward Block), who acknowledged the importance of keeping file notings accessible to people, to catch cases of corruption.

Thanking Shri V.P Singh, the Left parties and other political parties opposing the amendments, it was said on behalf of the Campaign to Save the Right to Information that as long as political parties kept a vigil on the RTI Act, no government could tamper with the law. Yet, since the amendments themselves were brought in through the backdoor and there was no certainty as to what could happen next, the dharna outside Jantar Mantar would go on full swing. The campaign's day-and-night vigil over the Parliament will thus continue till the end of the session, unless the amendments are withdrawn.

 

On the news of the firm stance by the Left, and conceding to the demand of his friends and activists in the Campaign, noted social activist Sandeep Pandey, who has been on a hunger strike for the last 7 days broke his fast today. He will, however, continue the struggle in Delhi as well as other states. Aam Sabhas are being planned on the 18th August in Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi and Gorakhpur, where the people's referendum will also be taken