DON’T DARE TO ENCROACH
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Ravindranath Guru has filed more than 300 RTI applications seeking details of
building plans where he suspected encroachment and other violations. Nine out
of ten times, his hunch has been correct, forcing BBMP to act
ATUL CHATURVEDI
There is something about encroachments that 65-year-old Ravindranath Guru
cannot stand, especially when public space is concerned. And with illegal
constructions in Bangalore being what they are these days, Guru has turned into
a oneman army, fighting unscrupulous builders and their bureaucratic cohorts.
As an ordinary citizen, Guru’s modus operandi is simple: He uses the Right To
Information (RTI) Act to expose violations of building plans.
Ever since the RTI Act was enacted four years ago, Guru has filed over 300
applications before various civic agencies including the Bruhat Bangalore
Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) seeking information about building plans. What is
more, he has had a superb success rate: In around 275 cases, he has managed to
point out various building violations, forcing the BBMP to crackdown against
those who have encroached on public space.
SOCIAL SERVICE
A resident of 24th Cross in Banashankari II Stage, and a retired scientist of
the department of information technology, Guru started his crusade only after
retirement. The moment
he realises that something is amiss with a construction that is taking place in
his area, he would file an RTI application seeking photocopies of original
documents. There have been instances where he was forced to file more than 25
RTI applications for a single case. After cross-checking, he would alert the
authorities if his guess was right.
“I have spent half my life serving the government and attending to my
family, I thought it is high time I give back something to society.” I thought
of using the RTI to fight injustice and expose the bureaucracy which is
handin-glove with building contractors,” said Guru, who was willing to shed his
reticence only after much persuasion by Bangalore Mirror. The original trigger
for his crusade was when he realised that the footpath near his house had been
encroached on by a building owner.
FACING THREATS
“It has not been a smooth drive after I decided to use RTI,” added Guru, whose
post-retirement life would otherwise have been a recollection of nice memories.
He has received threats several times, but has chosen not to give up. Pointing
to a broken glass pane in his house, Guru said: “Three years ago, my house was
attacked by unknown miscreants. They pelted stones, damaging the glass.” He
decided not to replace the glass, preferring to keep it as a memento of his
fight against corruption.
“The quantum of corruption going on in the construction field is very high,
and it is supported by BBMP officials. Once the construction plan is approved
by officials, they don’t check the construction site. This is how corruption
works inside the BBMP,” Guru said. But what miffs him most is the working of
BBMP’s legal department. He added, “I have to file so many RTIs to get proper
information about just one construction. For this, many times I have app r o a
c h e d BBMP’s legal cell, but the response is pathetic. I have complained to
the BBMP commissioner, but his priorities are different and he has no time to
meet ordinary citizens.” He alleged that the BBMP’s vigilance cell, which is
supposed to act on complaints related to illegal construction, has gone into
sleep-mode.
ROLE MODEL
Guru has incessantly taken up cudgels against corruption and has turned out to
be an inspiration for many social activists. In some cases, officials direct
people in distress to approach him. Even the Karnataka Information Commission
(KIC) has appreciated his efforts. State Information Commissioner K A
Thippeswamy said: “At this age, he is fighting against illegal construction and
corruption in the department. His work is to be appreciated.”
However, Guru shrugs off the compliments. “This work has to be done by every
citizen. People should come forward in a big way to fight what they think is
wrong,” he says matter-of-factly.
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