Imphal Times: Editorial: Friday,
11 October 2024.
The Right to Information
(RTI) Act, 2005, stands as a hallmark of democratic empowerment in India. It
gives every citizen the legal right to access government information, promoting
transparency and accountability across all levels of governance. However,
recent developments in Manipur paint a disturbing picture of how this powerful
tool is being undermined by violence and intimidation. A drastic reduction in
the filing of RTIs, particularly those related to public interest, has been
reported in the state, with the decline attributed to the growing threats and
harassment by goons on the activists.
These miscreants, employed by the power that maybe, are using intimidation to silence voices that seek transparency in governance.
This is more than just a localized issue it strikes at the heart of India’s democratic values. The RTI Act was designed as a people’s law, a tool for the common citizen to ensure the government is functioning in their best interests. When goons intimidate citizens from using this tool, it not only erodes the transparency of governance in Manipur but also weakens the entire foundation of a participatory democracy.
One of the most concerning aspects is that many of the RTIs being suppressed concern critical public interest issues allegations of corruption, misuse of public funds, irregularities in the functioning of public institutions, and the failure of welfare schemes. In regions like Manipur, where infrastructure development and public services often lag behind, RTI is a vital means to ensure accountability in these areas. By preventing citizens from seeking this information, armed miscreants are effectively crippling efforts to improve governance and the well-being of the public.
The hardships faced by RTI activists in Manipur are numerous and severe. Many of them have received death threats, been physically assaulted, and seen their families targeted. In some cases, activists are forced to flee their homes or live under constant fear of retribution for filing RTIs that expose corruption or malpractice. Even the act of seeking information something as fundamental as knowing how public money is spent has become a life-threatening endeavor. The mental and emotional toll of this constant danger is immense. Activists often face social isolation, as many within their communities fear associating with them due to potential repercussions.
The lack of proper legal recourse or protection has made these activists extremely vulnerable. While the RTI Act empowers citizens to hold the government accountable, the state government of Manipur has largely remained silent on the issue of threats against RTI applicants. This inaction only emboldens the perpetrators. Despite numerous complaints and incidents of violence being reported, there has been little or no effort from the state government to protect these individuals or punish those responsible for the threats.
The lack of response from the state to this growing issue is deeply troubling. When activists come forward with evidence of corruption, mismanagement, or wrongdoing, they expect the government not only to act on the information but also to protect them from the backlash. Instead, what we are seeing is a pattern of indifference, where complaints of threats and harassment are either ignored or met with insufficient action. In some instances, activists report that the police also fail to respond to complaints, especially when powerful or influential groups are involved. This not only discourages RTI activists but also signals to armed miscreants that they can continue their campaigns of intimidation without fear of reprisal.
The fight for transparency in governance cannot be left to a few individuals. It requires collective will on the part of the government, civil society, and the public. If the current trend continues and RTI applications continue to decline due to fear and intimidation, Manipur risks sliding into a shadow of unaccountability, where public resources can be looted and decisions taken without oversight. The Right to Information is not just a legal tool; it is a cornerstone of democracy. Protecting it is non-negotiable.
The reduction of RTI filings in Manipur due to threats by goons and miscreants is a wake-up call for all democratic institutions. Unless swift and decisive action is taken, the very essence of transparency in governance is at risk.
These miscreants, employed by the power that maybe, are using intimidation to silence voices that seek transparency in governance.
This is more than just a localized issue it strikes at the heart of India’s democratic values. The RTI Act was designed as a people’s law, a tool for the common citizen to ensure the government is functioning in their best interests. When goons intimidate citizens from using this tool, it not only erodes the transparency of governance in Manipur but also weakens the entire foundation of a participatory democracy.
One of the most concerning aspects is that many of the RTIs being suppressed concern critical public interest issues allegations of corruption, misuse of public funds, irregularities in the functioning of public institutions, and the failure of welfare schemes. In regions like Manipur, where infrastructure development and public services often lag behind, RTI is a vital means to ensure accountability in these areas. By preventing citizens from seeking this information, armed miscreants are effectively crippling efforts to improve governance and the well-being of the public.
The hardships faced by RTI activists in Manipur are numerous and severe. Many of them have received death threats, been physically assaulted, and seen their families targeted. In some cases, activists are forced to flee their homes or live under constant fear of retribution for filing RTIs that expose corruption or malpractice. Even the act of seeking information something as fundamental as knowing how public money is spent has become a life-threatening endeavor. The mental and emotional toll of this constant danger is immense. Activists often face social isolation, as many within their communities fear associating with them due to potential repercussions.
The lack of proper legal recourse or protection has made these activists extremely vulnerable. While the RTI Act empowers citizens to hold the government accountable, the state government of Manipur has largely remained silent on the issue of threats against RTI applicants. This inaction only emboldens the perpetrators. Despite numerous complaints and incidents of violence being reported, there has been little or no effort from the state government to protect these individuals or punish those responsible for the threats.
The lack of response from the state to this growing issue is deeply troubling. When activists come forward with evidence of corruption, mismanagement, or wrongdoing, they expect the government not only to act on the information but also to protect them from the backlash. Instead, what we are seeing is a pattern of indifference, where complaints of threats and harassment are either ignored or met with insufficient action. In some instances, activists report that the police also fail to respond to complaints, especially when powerful or influential groups are involved. This not only discourages RTI activists but also signals to armed miscreants that they can continue their campaigns of intimidation without fear of reprisal.
The fight for transparency in governance cannot be left to a few individuals. It requires collective will on the part of the government, civil society, and the public. If the current trend continues and RTI applications continue to decline due to fear and intimidation, Manipur risks sliding into a shadow of unaccountability, where public resources can be looted and decisions taken without oversight. The Right to Information is not just a legal tool; it is a cornerstone of democracy. Protecting it is non-negotiable.
The reduction of RTI filings in Manipur due to threats by goons and miscreants is a wake-up call for all democratic institutions. Unless swift and decisive action is taken, the very essence of transparency in governance is at risk.
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