Under pressure from citizens all over the country, the UPA government has decided not to introduce any amendment to RTI during this session.

The decision of the current government to not introduce the amendment has certainly been a major victory for democratic processes in India. It has been a victory for democratic processes that began with workshops on RTI in over 50 cities, towns and districts across India where citizens were trained to use this act and saw its potential through their own successes. It was followed up with street corner meetings on the impact of the amendment across the country. A people’s referendum against the amendment was already in process.

In a meeting with Aruna Roy, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi said that the government would not introduce any amendment before the winter session of the Indian parliament. In addition, she also committed that any amendment would only be presented after extensive discussions with citizens and civic society groups.

With this decision, social activists have stopped their protests all around the country. Anna Hazare ended his fast in Maharashtra. The protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi was also called off.

Earlier, Robert Kharshiing, a member of Rajya Sabha from Meghalaya had urged the government to desist from bringing any amendment. He had been pulled up by his party (NCP) which is part of the ruling coalition at the center. He reacted by starting a signature campaign against the amendment among Members of Parliament. He said that his position on the amendment was clear and the party could take any action it wanted. Dinesh Trivedi, a Member of Parliament with Trinamool had also presented his solidarity to the amendment.

However, organizers and civic society leaders are ensuring against complacency. At a meeting after the ongoing demonstrations had been called off, members of civic society opposing the amendment decided to take this awareness campaign even further. The next few months before the winter session of the Indian parliament, civic society groups have decided to campaign locally across the country highlighting the problems with the amendment and increasing pressure on the government so that the amendment cannot be introduced.

Civic society groups plan to build on this victory and create national awareness that makes an amendment impossible. Working with NGOs around the country, more meetings, workshops and awareness campaigns are in the work. People also plan to write to their representatives and voice their concerns in other ways.

The next few months will be crucial and we are urging our readers to use this time to help increase awareness among friends, family and their own communities.