Has the Cong Chief Accused the Centre of Weakening RTI?
Synopsis
In a bold statement, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the Central government of systematically undermining the RTI Act and failing to enforce critical protections for truth-seekers. With alarming statistics on pending cases and activist safety, Kharge's assertions raise crucial questions about transparency and accountability in governance.
Key Takeaways
Mallikarjun Kharge accuses the Central government of undermining the RTI Act .
Over 26,000 RTI cases are pending as of 2025.
More than 100 RTI activists have been murdered since 2014.
Concerns over vacancies in the Central Information Commission highlighted.
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act criticized for weakening RTI's public interest clause.
New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday leveled accusations against the Central government for systematically undermining the RTI Act and for its inability to enforce a law from the UPA era that aimed to safeguard truth-seekers and activists from violence.
Kharge condemned the government for delivering devastating blows to both the rural employment scheme and the transparency law, calling for a re-evaluation of the Right to Information Act, as indicated by the latest Economic Survey.
“After dismantling MGNREGA, is it now the turn of RTI to be terminated?” he queried in a thought-provoking post on social media, noting that more than 26,000 cases were pending under the Right to Information Act as of 2025.
Pointing to the government's alleged apathy towards the safety of RTI activists, he asserted, “Since 2014, over 100 RTI activists have been murdered, creating a climate of fear that punishes truth-seekers and suppresses dissent. The Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2014, established by the Congress-UPA, remains unimplemented by the BJP to this day.”
Kharge also criticized the numerous vacancies within the transparency commission. “As of last month (December 2025), the Central Information Commission has operated without a Chief Information Commissioner—the seventh time in 11 years that this crucial position was intentionally left vacant,” he remarked in a message on X.
Drawing on insights from the Economic Survey regarding the RTI Act, the Congress President noted that it hints at a potential ‘Ministerial veto’ to conceal information and proposes to investigate the possibility of shielding bureaucratic public service records, transfers, and staff reports from public oversight.
He claimed that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, has compromised the RTI’s public interest clause, using privacy as a tool to shield corruption and obstruct scrutiny.
He further stated that in 2019, the government 'hacked' into the RTI Act, taking control over the tenure and remuneration of Information Commissioners, transforming independent overseers into compliant operatives.
Point of View
It's vital to remain impartial while acknowledging the serious concerns raised by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The implications of weakening the RTI Act and the alarming statistics regarding RTI activists signal a critical juncture for transparency in governance. It's essential to encourage dialogue on these issues while adhering to factual reporting.
NationPress
5 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RTI Act?
The RTI Act, or Right to Information Act, is a law that empowers citizens to request information from public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
Why is the RTI Act important?
The RTI Act is crucial for ensuring that citizens can access information that affects them, thereby holding the government accountable and fostering an informed public.
What are the recent allegations against the Central government?
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the Central government of systematically weakening the RTI Act and failing to protect RTI activists, citing alarming statistics on pending cases and violence against activists.
How many RTI activists have been murdered since 2014?
According to Kharge, over 100 RTI activists have been murdered since 2014, indicating a concerning trend of violence against those who seek transparency.
What is the Digital Personal Data Protection Act?
The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, is a law that regulates the processing of personal data. Kharge claims it undermines the public interest clause of the RTI Act.
