Communities around the nation have joined hands in opposing the amendment to the Right to Information. We are asking you to take small steps that can strengthen the freedom of India.

Dear Friends
After years of intense campaigning at the grass roots level, among policy makers and in the parliament, the Right to Information Act formulated in 2005 gave significant hope to our democracy. We had a glimpse of the potential of this act in making governments accountable and transparent and in empowering citizens – us – during the anti-bribery campaign run in almost 50 cities across India.

Now, the government and the bureaucracy – for their own security and interests, perhaps – is going back on the act through an amendment that will limit information with regards to file notings in government documents. This will severely limit access to information regarding the reasons behind decisions, people involved in influencing and motivating decisions or biases in decisions. The amendment will thus be a serious blow in countering corruption and enhancing accountability and transparency in our democracy.

Having collaborated with you win the past, we are confident that you share these same concerns even as you work in your own ways in empowering communities and people. Given the critical nature of this amendment, and ways in which it will provide hurdles to your own efforts, we request that you and your group join the nation in creating greater awareness about the amendment, find peaceful ways to oppose it, and voice this opposition to your local representatives and bureaucracy. Some suggested actions may include

1. Awareness building through pamphlets, street plays, hoardings (on auto rickshaws or cycle rickshaws are cheap and get wide coverage), etc. We have also attached an electronic copy of a pamphlet in English and in Hindi. Please feel free to use it or to translate it into languages prevalent in your communities.

2. Peaceful rallies and demonstrations outside DM's office, vidhan sabha, etc. Petitions to these offices by those demonstrating or rallying will also be present strong opposition. It would be an added strength to get children and college students involved in these efforts.

3. We are strongly recommending a referendum against this amendment. An electronic copy of the referendum is attached in English and in Hindi. Please feel free to use it or to translate it into languages prevalent in your communities. We suggest that ballot boxes be put up in public places all over the city and people be requested to sign the referendum. If you do a count of the referendum and contact Arvind Kejriwal (01120507339) or Faisal Khan (9313106745) with the results in your community, it will help build a national voice with regards to this amendment.

4. Please including local media coverage of all these events. In addition, if you contact us, we can help get other media cover your events as well.

5. Please also call MPs from your constituencies or from the parties that represent you and ask them to oppose the amendment. Irrespective of their party affiliation, surely you do not want them to support corruption and policies that encourage it?

Please let us know whether you would have the time and will join in this national effort. In addition, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us.

Warm regards

The RTI support team