URGENT PRESS STATEMENT: RE: Massive support to "NO TO RTI AMENDMENT- PROTEST DAY" ON AUGUST 12 FROM 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. Thousands rally around at the various Railway Stations condemning the move by the Government to immunise political parties outside the purview of the RTI by amending the RTI Act. In response to the call given by Shri Shailesh Gandhi, former Central Information Commissioner the protest by citizens,RTI Activists and Civil Society received massive support all over Mumbai. The turnout at the Railway stations was spontaneous. Mr. Shailesh Gandhi, the former Central Information Commissioner had urged Mumbaikars to protest against the blatant attempt by those in power to circumvent the law. Mr. Gandhi had stated,"Parliament has the right to frame laws. But once this is done, to change it for their own benefits is completely third rate and unacceptable" Some of the Organisations who participated : Tarun Mitra Mandal, Watchdog Foundation, Members of the Bombay Catholic Sabha, Mahiti Adhikar Manch, Political and Civic Cells of the Church in the City, Save Our Land [SOUL]Committee, Aam Admi Volunteers, Police Reforms Watch and several others. Noted RTI and Citizen Activists to name a few: Mr. Shailesh Gandhi, Bhaskar Prabhu, Mohammed Afzal, Suleiman Bhimani., Rishi Agarwal, Gaurang Vora, Rajesh Gada, Samir Jhaveri, Stanley Fernandez, Gaurang Damani, Greg Pereira, Willie Shirshat, Shirish Shanbag, Kamlakar Shenoy, Chris Fernandes, Godfrey Pimenta, Nicholas Almeida, Rajesh Gada, Bhavesh Pandhya ,Anjali Damania, Robin Veigas, Dolphy D'souza and many more The participation of the citizens covered Railway stations from Borivali Station to Churchgate and CST to Thane and in a few localities also witnessed participation. We urge that the Government and the Political Parties listen to the voice of disgust from the common citizens and not venture into the adventure of amending the RTI to suit their nefarious purposes. We urge the Government and the Parliamentarians not to support this amendment to RTI as this is a direct assault on the democratic rights of the citizens. The RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT IS A CITIZENS ACT AND NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO TAMPER WITH IT. Hope better sense prevails. We have also enclosed a few photographs of the protests at some of the Railways Stations. Thank you for your support. Thank you, warm regards, Dolphy D'souza Convenor POLICE REFORMS WATCH 43, Kalina, Santacruz East, Mumbai 400 029. Tel: 09820226227 Email: [email protected]
