Congress Accuses Modi Government of Undermining RTI Act Under the Pretext of Data Protection

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, accusing it of systematically weakening the Right to Information (RTI) Act under the guise of enforcing data protection laws. Kharge alleged that the government’s recent moves threaten to erode transparency and accountability, which were the foundational principles of the RTI Act introduced by the previous Congress-led UPA government. Asserting the party’s commitment to defending the RTI Act, Kharge declared that Congress would continue to oppose what he described as the government’s “dictatorial” approach, both within the Parliament and through public protests.

In a strongly worded statement on social media platform X, Kharge highlighted a perceived contradiction in the government’s actions. He pointed out that while India has consistently ranked high on global misinformation and disinformation indices in recent years, the Modi administration appears more focused on restricting public access to information rather than combating false narratives. Kharge contended that the Data Protection Act, presented by the government as a safeguard for citizens’ privacy, is being used as a pretext to limit transparency by curbing the reach and effectiveness of the RTI Act. He accused the government of attempting to shield information of public interest, including details about beneficiaries of welfare schemes and defaulters who have fled the country after securing substantial loans from public sector banks.

According to Kharge, the RTI Act was a milestone in ensuring governmental accountability and empowering citizens with the right to access information on public affairs. He argued that by invoking data protection as a justification, the government is effectively denying citizens their right to know about matters of significant public concern. For instance, information regarding the list of ration card holders, MGNREGA beneficiaries, voter lists, and the names of defaulters who owe vast sums to government banks could potentially be withheld from the public domain. Kharge’s remarks underscored the Congress party’s stance that such information must remain accessible to ensure transparency and curb corruption.

The Congress president further emphasized that the party acknowledges the importance of the Right to Privacy, which has been upheld as a fundamental right by the Supreme Court of India. He clarified that while data protection and privacy rights are crucial, they must not come at the cost of public accountability. Kharge argued that the RTI Act, as originally framed, struck a careful balance between individual privacy and the public’s right to information. He criticized the current government for disrupting this balance, suggesting that the real intent behind the amendments to the RTI framework was to conceal information that could potentially expose corruption or misuse of power.

Kharge’s statements come at a time when the debate over data privacy and transparency is intensifying in India. The Data Protection Act introduced by the Modi government has been a point of contention, with critics arguing that it grants sweeping exemptions to government agencies, effectively placing them beyond the reach of RTI requests. Legal experts and civil society groups have raised concerns that the act’s provisions could lead to excessive secrecy in governance, undermining the transparency that the RTI Act was designed to promote. The Congress party’s opposition to these provisions appears to be part of a broader strategy to rally public support by portraying the Modi government as authoritarian and unaccountable.

Reaffirming his party’s resolve to safeguard the RTI Act, Kharge pledged that Congress would continue to challenge any attempts to dilute the law. He called on party workers and supporters to remain vigilant and to actively participate in protests and campaigns aimed at defending transparency and accountability in governance. Kharge’s rhetoric was charged with references to defending democracy and securing citizens’ rights, signaling that the party views the battle over RTI as a significant political issue heading into upcoming elections.

The RTI Act, enacted in 2005 during the UPA regime, has been one of the most powerful tools for citizens to access information about government decisions and actions. It has played a crucial role in exposing numerous cases of corruption and maladministration over the years. By positioning itself as the defender of this legislation, the Congress party seems to be seeking to reinforce its image as a champion of transparency and anti-corruption measures. In contrast, the BJP-led government has argued that data protection laws are essential to safeguard citizens’ privacy in an increasingly digital age, rejecting allegations of attempting to stifle transparency.

As the debate over data protection and the RTI Act continues, it is clear that the issue will remain a flashpoint in the political discourse, with both sides seeking to sway public opinion by framing the narrative in their favor. The Congress party’s emphasis on the RTI Act’s role in ensuring accountability and its portrayal of the Modi government as anti-transparency are likely to feature prominently in its campaign messaging in the coming months.

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