I/II. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Aruna-Roy-slams-govt-for-query-on-ideology/articleshow/49425756.cms
Aruna Roy slams govt for query on ideology TNN | Oct 17, 2015, 05.05 AM IST Aruna Roy accused the Centre of bringing changes in the Act to make it ineffective. JAIPUR: Social activist Aruna Roy criticised the Centre for the questioning of RTI activists about their ideology and political leanings before their participation in a one-day seminar to mark 10 years of RTI in New Delhi on Friday. Roy, along with other senior RTI activists, boycotted the conclave saying the invitation was sent to only a handful of activists while ignoring many seniors. ***Government officers asked RTI activists, while they arrived to attend the seminar, questions like 'What is your ideology?', 'Your leanings are with which political party?', 'Are you affiliated with any political party?', 'What is you take on the new Central government?'.*** [Emphasis added.] ***"Even asking them about their family background indicates the Central government's move to repress the activists," Roy told reporters at a press conference in Jaipur. She said the government is scared of the fact that 80 lakh activists across the country are using RTI which is committed to bring transparency and good governance.*** [Emphasis added.] "Possibly the government is perturbed over the manner in which these RTI activists are coming up with the information making them uncomfortable," said Roy. She accused the Centre of bringing changes in the Act to make it ineffective. Elaborating on why she had boycotted the conclave, Roy said: "Out of 80 lakh activists, they had invited just seven while ignoring many others, who represent different regions and bodies, to get the holistic picture in the RTI conclave. Secondly, the manner in which Intelligence Bureau officers visited the place of those invited and questioned them clears their intention to influence the activists." Another activist, Megha Patkar, who was also present at the press conference, expressed her concern over the rising religious intolerance, communal discords and corruption cases. "The open endorsement of mob violence and killings of writers by the leaders of the incumbent party is further threatening the situation. The statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Dadri incident was very late and weak which in unacceptable," said Patkar. II. http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rti-means-right-to-question-says-pm-at-event-boycotted-by-activists-1232895 RTI Means Right To Question, Says PM At Event Boycotted By Activists All India | Edited by Surabhi Malik | Updated: October 16, 2015 13:42 IST NEW DELHI: The Right to Information or RTI allows citizens to question the government and increases their faith in democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today at the annual RTI convention in New Delhi that was boycotted by several prominent activists as only 10 of them were invited for it. ***The event, held at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan, was attended only by three of the 10 invitees. As the PM delivered his address, nearly 30 activists staged a protest outside the venue.*** [Emphasis added.] "The Right to Information is not only about the right to know but also about the right to question. People should have a right to question the government. This is the foundation of democracy. This will increase their faith in democracy. When matters go online, transparency increases automatically. Trust also increases," the PM said. "In this day and age, there is no need for secrecy. More openness in governance will help citizens," he added. Well-known activist Aruna Roy, who was invited but did not attend the event today, had said at a press conference yesterday that the Intelligence Bureau or IB had run background checks on activists and many had not been invited for security reasons. Ms Roy and the others invited for the PM's session had said they would boycott it in solidarity with those who did not receive an invitation. ***But government sources said such verification is routinely done. They also said that invitations were restricted as the hall at Delhi's Vigyan Bhawan where the PM made his address could accommodate only 1300 people and the government wanted to ensure the participation of many sections of people involved with Right to Information. Half of the seats in the hall were vacant as the PM delivered his address today.*** [Emphasis added.] ***In past years, more than 200 RTI activists have attended the inaugural session of the annual event, usually addressed by the President or Prime Minister. This year, the meet celebrates the 10th anniversary of the RTI Act.*** [Emphasis added.] Story First Published: October 16, 2015 13:00 IST -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
