As India marks 20 years of the RTI Act, we must face a harsh reality. More than 100 activists have been killed so far, and many others have been attacked. The recent attempt on the life of Rama Kankonkar reminded us of the danger faced by those who use the RTI to expose wrongdoing. While the Right to Information Act has empowered citizens, it has also put whistle-blowers at serious risk. It is not wrong to say that the “Right” has in some cases gone terribly wrong. Proper protection for whistle-blowers is still missing. The law cannot stop at giving access to information. It must also provide strong and practical safeguards for those who expose corruption and face threats because of it.
The RTI Act represents a citizen’s fundamental right to seek truth. But if truth-seeking continues to be met with violence and intimidation, then the law becomes only a paper shield. No government should weaken or restrict such a law. Yet, the current situation shows a slow erosion of transparency and accountability. Whistle-blowers are not troublemakers, as some politicians claim. They are defenders of democracy. It is time both the Central and State governments recognise their courage and respect the risks they and their families take in the larger interest of society and the nation.
