The right to information is fundamental but it is being undermined

Recent judicial remarks and high court rulings have attempted to undermine the Right to Information Act by demanding applicants justify their queries and labeling routine requests as potential misuse. These developments suggest a shift toward viewing transparency requests as exceptional rather than fundamental, contradicting the law’s original intent to empower citizens without barriers. This approach risks treating information access as a privilege subject to official discretion rather than a guaranteed right. The article emphasizes that the right to information is intrinsic to freedom of expression and essential for democratic accountability. Legal history and statutory provisions clearly establish that citizens are not required to provide reasons for seeking public records. By imposing new hurdles, authorities are effectively narrowing a constitutional right, thereby weakening the mechanism designed to expose corruption and ensure government transparency. This erosion of open data principles is particularly relevant as it legitimizes administrative obstruction and endangers activists. When public servants are emboldened to deny information based on subjective assessments of "efficiency" or "intimidation," the system fails its primary purpose. Defending the integrity of the RTI Act is crucial to prevent the silencing of citizen oversight and to maintain the balance of power between the state and the people.

Source: scroll.in
Published on 2025-01-05

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