They also pledged to initiate a mass campaign against any amendment that would dilute the RTI Act at a public meeting.
On Monday, activists wrote to Sena president and e-mailed his son Aditya, asking both to ensure that their party MP, Bhausaheb Wakchaure, withdraws the bill he presented in Lok Sabha in August. The bill stated that any applicant seeking information would have to provide reason for the same. It also said that it would be the prerogative of the public information officer (PIO) to decide whether the information should be given, on the basis of the reason provided.
“We had given a letter to Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya. But we are yet to hear from them. The amendment sought by their MP is uncalled for, and may start a trend where other party members introduce individual bills,” said Bhaskar Prabhu of the Mahiti Adhikar Manch.“There could be some understanding between Sena and other political parties to dilute the RTI Act as they feel threatened by the many things coming out of their closet now,” added Prabhu.
Uddhav’s PRO, Harshal Pradhan, said the leader was yet to see the letter, while Aditya Thackeray did not respond.
But, a Sena leader close to Uddhav said, “The bill was introduced at a personal level. The party has nothing to do with it. The party has asked him to withdraw it and as far as we know, the bill was withdrawn on Friday.”