RTI activists have always been targetted in Gujarat

Four RTI activisits have been butchered and six have escaped murder attempts, as authorities continue to wink at the culprits. DNA profiles the heroes who are fighting a not so appreciated battle for upholding democratic values.

Manisha Goswami
Manisha Goswami, a resident of Vapi, has been waging a lone battle against the pollution spread by industries in Vapi. In the latest case, Goswami had moved an RTI application seeking information about a company's environmental clearance. However, no sooner did she move the application, than she was attacked on September 21, 2011. "The police have registered a case, but the investigation is very slow and ineffective," says Goswami.

Bhadresh Wamja
Bhadresh Wamja is a young RTI activist who exposed corruption in the dealings of fair price shop-keepers in Amreli. Wamja, who has now formed a youth organisation in his village, has filed an RTI seeking information about various schemes for farmers in his village and their rights. He says he was threatened when he exposed the ration card shop dealings but timely action by police helped in arresting the accused. "The government administration threatens activists. I was threatened by the official for an RTI on farmer. But our fight for our right will go on," said Wamja.
 
Bhanjibhai Jogel and Bharatbhai Ghughal
Bhanjibhai Jogel and Bharatbhai Ghughal had unearthed corruption in two government schemes. The duo brought to light that the actually beneficiaries under the Indira Aavas Yojana for widows and Sardar Patel Awas Yojana for landless agricultural labourers and villagers living below poverty line in rural areas were left out and people who were not entitled enjoyed the benefits of the schemes. Even as the duo, residents of Dhank village in Upleta taluka of Rajkot district, began raising their voices, moved several RTI applications and questioned the local administration, villagers threatened them. Jogel said, "We belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST). When we raised our voice, we were threatened of social boycott. We were attacked and several attempts were also made to kill us. However, police helped us and protected us. Still, we face lot of problems from officials and villagers."

Jaisukh Bambhania
Jaisukh Bambhania, 39, who is president of Diu auto-rickshaw drivers association, was attacked with sharp weapons like swords and pipes followed by a failed acid attack. He had sought information in connection with construction of an allegedly illegal restaurant and bogus licence issued by Regional Transport Office (RTO) to bike vendors. Top local politicians and government officers allegedly attacked him on August 24, 2011.

Bhagu Devani
Well-known lawyer and RTI activist Bhagu Devani was pulled out of his car in Porbandar on June 25, 2011 by five to six persons and stabbed in his stomach. Devani, who is out of danger, has named former BJP minister Babu Bokhiria.

Those who have paid price with their life

Vishram Dodhia
Dodhia, a Surat-based activist, was killed some years back as he raised his voice against corruption the Torrent. He had filed several RTI application in the company due to which he was eliminated.

Amit Jethwa
A controversial Junagadh-based activist, he actively exposed the mining mafias in the district and also exposed several cases of illegal mining using RTI. On 20 July, 2010, he was shot dead by two assailants on a motorbike near Gujarat high court. He is believed to have been killed on the behest of the nephew of Dinu Solanki.

Jabbardan Gadhvi
Gadhvi used RTI for the benefit of his village and poor people. His village got electricity. When he asked about his ancestral land, his younger brother was put behind bars on some false charges. They sold 5 buffaloes (out of six they had) & hired an advocate to fight the case.

He wanted information to prove his younger brother's innocence and the land he was seeking information about actually belonged to them. He announced his plans of self-immolation to collector, mamlatdar and police. When Jabardan set himself on fire, his younger brother, Malavdan, wanted to save him but police did not allow him.