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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Modi should leverage his ties with world leaders to de-escalate war in West Asia: Omar Abdullah
Jammu (PTI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said India can play a meaningful role in de-escalation in West Asia, given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's strong relations with the warring countries and their neighbours.
He said Pakistan was leveraging ties with Iran and the United States, and that any effort towards ending the war should be welcomed.
"As I said in the House (Assembly), we would like the war to end as soon as possible. The role that the prime minister can play may not be possible for anyone else because of his good relations with all these countries," Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He, however, said any escalation would not be easy to manage.
"Any such move by US President Donald Trump, despite the long history of Iran resisting external domination, would not be easy," the chief minister said.
Asked about Pakistan mediating in the war, he said, "I will simply say that if any country can play a role in preventing this war, no one should have any objection to it."
He added, "I will repeat what I said … our prime minister has good and close relations with all countries — whether it is Israel, the United States, Iran, or the countries around Iran. If those relationships can be used to make some progress and help ease the situation, it would be a good thing."
Abdullah said attacks by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed in India, as suggested by a report from the United States, are not unlikely.
Meanwhile, he asserted that any efforts to end the war, be it from Pakistan, must not be resisted.
"Pakistan is using its good relations with Iran and the United States to its advantage, and it has done so. How can we object to that? If that angle helps in stopping the war, would you want them not to act and let the war continue? We want the war to stop. If any country can play a role in that, it should. And if we can play an even better role, then we should do so," he said.
On unemployment in J-K, the chief minister said the issue cannot be resolved overnight, and government jobs alone are not the solution.
He stressed the need to explore alternative avenues, highlighting the importance of Mission Yuva in promoting entrepreneurship.
"Mission Yuva provides not just funding but also support in preparing DPRs and post-startup assistance, such as marketing. In just nine months, distributing Rs 1,000 crore and approving numerous schemes is a significant achievement," he said.
Abdullah credited the coordination between the government and Jammu and Kashmir Bank for the scheme's progress.
