Gujarat Right To Information (RTI) activist Jabbardan Gadhvi had sought information on alleged irregularities in cattle grazing in the Rapar taluka of Kutch district. Earlier this week, the 45-year-old RTI activist set himself ablaze in the compound of the Mamlatdar’s office after having received constant threats from the Mamlatdar, Talati and the PSI of Rapar. Gadhvi’s family, still in shock, wonders why no body stepped in to stop Gadhvi.
Relative Haridan Gadhvi said, "He had warned the Mamlatdar two days in advance that he would immolate himself. Why did no body care to prevent him?"
In Gujarat, Gadhvi isn’t the only RTI activist to have met such a fate.
In October 2010, whistleblower Keshubha Jadeja immolated himself after he was harassed for exposing a bogus billing scam by department seniors.
In July 2010, RTI activist Amit Jethva was shot dead for exposing illegal mining activity by influential politicians around the Gir Sanctuary.
In February 2010, RTI activist Vikram Dodhiya was killed for fighting against electricity company fraud in Surat.
Given the nature of their work, RTI activists often end up making more enemies than friends. And not helping much is the attitude of the Information Commissioner’s office in Gujarat.
Convener, RTI Awards Committee, Gujarat, Vinod Pandya said, "I believe that it is the information officers and the information commissioner who are also murderers when such incidents happen. Such things are happening because the RTI commissioner has murdered the RTI Act."
The opposition Congress, seeking political mileage, stalled the functioning of the Assembly on Thursday over Gadhvi’s death. For the other RTI activists in Gujarat, asking questions and seeking answers comes at a price.