Pune: Social activist Anna Hazare on Friday deferred his proposed indefinite fast from July 5 after state govt put the implementation of the Maharashtra Right to Information (RTI) Rules, 2026, on hold.In a statement released from Ralegan Siddhi village, Hazare termed govt’s decision to suspend implementation of the rules a victory for citizens, who had united to protect the RTI Act. He also thanked RTI activists for supporting the movement. He stated that he decided to defer the fast after repeated requests from supporters and govt’s assurance that the rules would remain in abeyance.Hazare, however, stressed that suspending the rules was only a temporary measure. He urged govt to completely withdraw them, alleging that the rules diluted the spirit of the RTI Act and weakened citizens’ right to information.He warned that if the rules are not permanently withdrawn after consultations with RTI activists and citizens, he would launch a fresh agitation.Calling the RTI Act a powerful tool against corruption and for ensuring transparency and accountability in governance, Hazare said it must be protected for future generations.State Chief Information Commissioner Rahul Pande said his office had received Hazare’s letter and welcomed the decision to defer the fast. “Govt has asked us to keep the new rules in abeyance. We have instructed all offices to follow the pre-June 12 RTI Rules and the earlier directives,” he said.RTI activists have said they would now submit detailed recommendations to the Maharashtra govt for revising the rules.Venkatesh Nayak, director of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, told TOI that while the new rules filled some gaps in the 2005 framework, they also remained ‘seriously problematic and restrictive’ in several respects. He said they introduced procedures for filing first appeals and inspecting records, and assigned responsibility to heads of offices for record management and proactive disclosures under Section 4 of the RTI Act – areas that were missing earlier.Nayak said govt should now use the opportunity to frame comprehensive, citizen-friendly RTI Rules and undertake the review through a meaningful consultative process, giving citizens adequate opportunity to suggest measures that strengthen the transparency regime envisioned under the RTI Act.
