The Campaign to save the RTI Act went on an indefinite dharna on August 7th. The dharna began with a performance by Euphoria, followed by a march to the Parliament where 2000 students submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister.

On August 8th, Magsasay Awardee Shri Sandeep Pandey sat on an indefinite hunger strike in support of the Campaign. Several people from different walks of life including mazdoors, kisans, professionals, students, groups and individuals from Delhi, Rajasthan, UP and Madhya Pradesh joined the protest at the dharna sthal at Jantar Mantar.

The protests began with the slogan - *No RTI No Vote* followed by a series of songs and slogans. Puppets and mask performances were also carried out at the dharna sthal. Over 77 people came to sign up in support of the Campaign and also contributed Rs. 1,250 in support of the dharna. The Delh of School of Economic also came forward to express solidarity with the campaign and contributed Rs. 964.

Justice J.C Verma (Ex Chief Justice of India and Ex Chairman National Human Rights Commission), Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer (Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India) and, Justice P. B. Sawant (Former Judge of the Supreme Court of India) issued a joint statement calling the proposed amendment "unconstitutional". They said, "…After all, public power is derived from 'We the People of India……'. Its exercise must be subject to legitimate scrutiny by the People, who are the source of that power. The people have a participatory role in a Republican democracy as they are "the keepers of the Constitution". In such circumstances there is no justification for such an amendment to the RTI Act which seeks to unreasonably and unconstitutionally restrict the people's right to know what their public servants are doing on their behalf. " 

The Campaign plans to conduct a series of activities to put pressure not to allow any dilutions in the RTI Act 2005. The activities include performances by different groups/individuals, exhibitions on RTI and a series of meetings, seminars, workshops, public lectures on RTI.

For more information contact:
Nikhil – 9818782996; Arvind – 20507339; Manish – 9868875898; Divyajyoti- 9868002365; Suchi – 9811 333041