RTI misuse: Like thieves pretending to catch thieves
VB Editorial | August 13, 2025 |
It is not often that the legislature speaks in one voice. But on Tuesday, the Karnataka Assembly witnessed one such rare sight. Legislators from both the ruling and opposition benches came together — not to defend public interest, but to demand curbs on RTI activists. Their argument: the RTI Act is being misused by some activists to blackmail officials and elected representatives.
Like adding a rotten pumpkin to a spoiled coconut, the question raised by ruling party MLA Kaujalagi Mahantesh found eager support from opposition leader Basangouda Patil Yatnal. “RTI activists are building lavish bungalows, parking cars in front of them, and living in luxury. Where is the money coming from?” Yatnal thundered. The demand was for a new law to rein in RTI activists and curb their “illegal activities.” Some legislators even wanted special time allotted for a debate, though the Speaker did not allow it.
What the Assembly needed that day was not a chorus against RTI activists, but a serious debate in their defence. Because the truth is this: genuine RTI activists are the ones under attack. The law that once empowered them has been steadily diluted, and those who continue the fight for transparency are now paying with their lives.
The numbers tell a grim story. Since the RTI Act came into force, more than 80 activists have been murdered across India. In Bihar alone, 21 activists have lost their lives in the last decade. In Karnataka, at least six activists have been killed while pursuing the truth. Threats, intimidation, and false cases have become part of their daily struggle. Those who expose the mining mafia, sand mafia, or political corruption cannot even move about safely in public.
And yet, despite the risks, activists have kept alive the spirit of the RTI Act. Thanks to their work, countless scams have been unearthed. The irony is hard to miss: the RTI Act was brought in by the UPA government, and it was the very same law that exposed UPA-era corruption and contributed to its fall from power. The difference, however, is stark. For all its faults, the UPA still allowed citizens to question. Today, under the Modi government, the RTI Act has been hollowed out to the point where information barely reaches the people.
In such a climate, legislators should be demanding protection for activists. They should be asking the government to strengthen the law, not weaken it further. Instead, it is disturbing to see them accuse activists of blackmail, when in truth, it is the corrupt practices of legislators and officials that make them vulnerable in the first place.
When lawmakers cry, “RTI activists are blackmailing us,” they are indirectly admitting their own guilt. Yes, misuse of RTI exists. But misuse thrives only where corruption runs deep. If politicians and officials had nothing to hide, what power would a so-called blackmailer hold over them?
Yatnal asks, “Where do RTI activists get money for cars and houses?” But let every legislator ask themselves a more uncomfortable question: how is it that one’s wealth multiplies overnight after entering politics? How does a man who once lived in a rented house suddenly become the owner of bungalows and luxury cars after two terms in office?
To be clear, there are indeed a few who misuse RTI for personal gain. But that number is small compared to the many who risk their lives daily to keep democracy accountable. And the bigger truth is this — the misuse of RTI will reduce only when corruption among those in power reduces.
There is no need for a separate law to tie the hands of RTI activists. What is needed is a political class willing to clean up its own house. To attack RTI activists is not just hypocrisy; it is an attempt to silence the people and crown the politicians as the only masters.
In the end, this debate is not about activists versus legislators. It is about whether ordinary citizens still have the right to know how their money is being spent. And the answer to that question will decide whether democracy is alive, or just a slogan.
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Riyan Parag likely to be fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping inside dressing room
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is set to be fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offences carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
"He is set to be fined a portion of his match fees and a demerit point for a Level 1 offence," said an IPL source.
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals at home on Friday night.
