While the Right to Information has been one of the strongest laws empowering democracy in India, it faces serious threats - especially from the government.

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In the last few months, the media has reported at least 3 cases of violent attacks against individuals involved with using RTI to expose corruption. There have been more that were less fatal. While various members of civic society have pleaded with the government to strengthen laws to protect those using RTI and exposing corruption, the government has not responded. Worse, the government is bringing out its own guns to weaken the ability for citizens to access information and limit corruption through RTI.

The Right to Information has indeed been a boon to democracy in India. Through information that the officers of the government are obliged to provide, citizens have been able to expose corruption in all aspects of government dealings. It has ensured that the government can be of the people and for the people. 

It is understandable, then, than lumpen elements and mafia invested in land scams or in underhand deals feel threatened. They have been affected by transparency. Thus, they have acted - in Bihar and in Mumbai and in Bangalore - by hitting out at those who have used RTI to threaten their activities, leaving at least 3 RTI activists dead. While senior leaders who had been involved in forcing the government to enact RTI have been demanding that the government find ways to protect those using RTI to expose scams and increase transparency in governments, we have not heard peep from the government.

While that is not surprising, it has been strange to see various arms of the government promulgate laws to exempt themselves from RTI. Ironically, while civic society has exposed corrupt practices by a former judge and brought evidence of corruption to bear on another judge who was being considered to the Supreme Court of India, the judges of the Supreme Court are arguing that they be exempt from RTI. The public opinion of the Supreme Court has dropped; too many verdicts have been made that seem to be anti-people. There have been too many allegations against judges in the Supreme Court. In this environment, it seems unfortunate that the judges are unwilling to present themselves as subjects of the law, as being humble to the service of the country and the people of India.

At the same time, the Government of India aims to exempt laws on GM foods from RTI. This bears significance since the attempt to bring btBrinjal was foiled by massive campaign aided by RTI that allowed the people of India to glance at information the government was using to make this decision. Further, it threatens that any information against GM foods that is not 'scientific' can result in legal action. Given that much of GM 'facts' are heuristic, at best - that many facts being presented by the GM industry is itself extrapolation and conjecture, it is an interesting attempt to quell dissent.

Of even more concern is the Prime Minister's effort to dilute RTI through amendments. NDTV claims that this is against the opinions of the Congress president. These reports suggest that the PM would like to protect the interest of the judiciary - is this not in opposition to separation of power. Is there collusion evolving between the executive and judiciary - you scratch my back? If indeed, this amendment passes, it will be one of democratic India's worst legislation. At a time when corruption seems to be high in the public ethos, this will be a difficult moment for the ruling government. 

It is necessary that civic society point the electoral importance of fighting corruption - or at least be seen to be fighting corruption; much of the future of government for the people depends on this. 

- Sanat Mohanty