New Delhi | RBN News
The Indian National Congress on February 22 announced a series of legal and institutional initiatives aimed at strengthening engagement with young lawyers, revitalising legal networks, and launching a campaign to defend and restore the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Addressing a press briefing at the AICC office, 24 Akbar Road, New Delhi, Ajay Maken, Treasurer of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, MP and Chairman of the AICC Law, Human Rights & RTI Department, outlined four key programmes.
The details are contained in the official press release dated February 22, 2026 Shri Ajay Maken, Treasurer, AIC….
1️⃣ INC Legal Fellows Programme
Dr. Singhvi announced the launch of a three-month INC Legal Fellows Programme aimed at integrating young legal professionals into mainstream party functioning.
Under the programme:
- Around 10 young legal counsels will be selected
- Fellows will assist parliamentarians in day-to-day legislative work
- Participants will gain exposure to the functioning of Parliamentary Opposition
According to the press note, the objective is to provide young lawyers a “front row seat” in the law-making process and help them understand the role of an Opposition party in parliamentary democracy Shri Ajay Maken, Treasurer, AIC….
2️⃣ ‘Nyaya, Neta aur Nagrik’ Podcast Series
The AICC Law Department also announced a podcast titled “Nyaya, Neta aur Nagrik”, designed to create a platform for legal luminaries, senior advocates, and young lawyers to discuss constitutional and societal issues.
The series will:
- Feature a minimum of 10 episodes
- Focus on restoring constitutional dialogue
- Highlight concerns over what the party termed dilution of the RTI Act
The initiative aims to place “law and citizens at the centre of governance discourse,” according to the press release Shri Ajay Maken, Treasurer, AIC….
3️⃣ Rapid Response Force (RRF) for Legal Support
A key announcement was the creation of a Rapid Response Force (RRF) — a structured legal support mechanism.
Key features include:
- A database of lawyers across districts
- Target of at least five lawyers in every district
- Legal support for party leaders facing threats or intimidation
- Creation of a digital directory for coordination
Dr. Singhvi stated that the initiative seeks to provide timely legal assistance, especially in states where the Congress is in Opposition Shri Ajay Maken, Treasurer, AIC….
4️⃣ National Conclave to Reclaim the RTI Act
The party also announced plans for a National Conclave on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
The conclave will:
- Bring together former Information Commissioners, jurists, civil society leaders, RTI activists and journalists
- Assess the current state of the RTI framework
- Identify institutional and legislative gaps
- Develop actionable recommendations
A comprehensive report will be prepared and released publicly after consultations Shri Ajay Maken, Treasurer, AIC….
Broader Context
During the briefing, Ajay Maken emphasised that the party leadership fully supports these initiatives. Dr. Singhvi stated that the programmes are intended to go beyond party workers and include civil society, legal professionals, and RTI activists.
He clarified that while Congress members are not excluded, the outreach is broader and merit-based in nature.
What Happens Next
Details regarding application procedures for the Legal Fellows Programme and timelines for the podcast and RTI conclave are expected to be released on official AICC platforms.
The announcements signal the Congress party’s effort to institutionalise legal engagement and reposition the RTI Act as a central political and governance issue in the coming months.
