No, because they might have genuine reasons, at least they may avoid to respond due to self-effacing. Many sahabah used to direct questioners to other sahabah kiram raDi Allahu 'anh. Also, the hadith is about concealing the truth, like in our times deobnadis do; for example when they talk about shah muzaffar kawkaburi, they hide his praises by great muhaditeen, and they distort reports by inserting their own filthy remarks making it appear as if the muhadith said so. read molvi ghumman's article on mawlid sharif, how dishonestly he hides and distorts the truth.
Hadith: "He who is asked about knowledge (of religion) and conceals it, will be bridled with a bridle of fire on the Day of Resurrection." Does this relate to scholars of today who just ignore questions?
