Harshwardhan Sapkal said the RTI Act had initially empowered citizens and helped expose corruption, but alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government had diluted it through amendments and administrative neglect
Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal. PIC/X
Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal on Sunday accused the Narendra Modi-led Central government of systematically weakening the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which was introduced by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government two decades ago.
According to news agency PTI, Sapkal said the RTI Act had initially empowered citizens and helped expose corruption, but alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government had diluted it through amendments and administrative neglect.
“By keeping the posts of Information Commissioners vacant, refusing to share public data citing privacy concerns, and excluding institutions like the Reserve Bank of India and the Election Commission from RTI coverage, the Modi government has made this law toothless,” Sapkal said at a press conference marking 20 years of the RTI Act.
He further alleged that the government has concealed facts related to demonetisation and the election process, including CCTV footage from polling stations, PTI reported.
The Congress, Sapkal said, will launch a campaign to strengthen the RTI framework and restore citizens’ right to information through public awareness drives, legal workshops, and feedback initiatives to identify areas of improvement.
Speaking on state politics, Sapkal accused Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of “deliberately fuelling caste-based divisions in society” using what he described as a “British-era divide-and-rule strategy”, PTI reported.
“His (Fadnavis’) cold and calculated political approach is reminiscent of Nathuram Godse’s mindset — though the comparison is about methods, not individuals,” he clarified.
Commenting on recent political developments, Sapkal said the Congress had no objection to meetings between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, after Raj visited ‘Matoshri’ for the second time in a week.
“We are part of the INDIA bloc. Decisions regarding alliances will be taken collectively by the constituent parties,” he said.
On recent communal tensions in Ahilyanagar district, Sapkal alleged that “a deliberate conspiracy is underway to incite riots and disturb peace in Maharashtra”.
He also accused the Mahayuti government of neglecting farmers, claiming they were being forced to sell soybean at Rs 3,200–3,700 per quintal despite a minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 5,400.
“The government must immediately procure soybeans at MSP, failing which Congress will not allow ministers to move freely across the state,” Sapkal warned.
(With PTI inputs)
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