Modi Govt ‘Killed’ RTI, Says Congress on RTI’s 20th Anniversary

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Jairam Ramesh accuses Centre of turning the CIC into a ‘toothless body’; warns that the Digital Personal Data Protection Act could be the ‘final death knell’ for RTI.

By TRH Political Desk

NEW DELHI, October 12, 2025 —Marking the 20th anniversary of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Congress on Sunday accused the Modi-led NDA government of systematically “killing” the landmark law that was enacted under the UPA in 2005 to promote transparency and accountability in governance.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary in charge of communications, said the Central Information Commission (CIC) had been reduced to a “toothless organisation,” with crucial posts left vacant for years.

“For the BJP, the RTI means Right to Intimidate,” Ramesh remarked, alleging that the Modi government has shown deep hostility towards transparency and public accountability.

He pointed out that the 2019 amendment to the RTI Act weakened the Commission’s independence, while a provision in the Digital Personal Data Protection Act threatens to “dismantle” the very spirit of the law.

“Section 44(3) of the new Act allows denial of information under the pretext of ‘personal data’,” he alleged. If left unamended, it will prove the final death knell for the RTI,” he warned.

‘CIC turned into a ghost house’

Ramesh noted that the CIC currently operates with just two members, and the post of the Chief Information Commissioner has been vacant for months.

“The CIC headquarters look like a ghost house,” he said, blaming the government’s deliberate inaction.

He also listed five reasons why, according to him, the Modi government has targeted the RTI:

RTI queries sought details of the Prime Minister’s degree in “Entire Political Science.”
RTI revelations contradicted Modi’s claim of crores of fake ration cards.
RTI disclosures showed that the RBI board opposed demonetisation just hours before it was announced.
The CIC directed the disclosure of the top 20 wilful loan defaulters, reportedly submitted to the PMO.
RTI responses revealed no black money had returned from abroad as promised in 2014.

Congress links RTI to UPA’s rights-based reforms

Ramesh reminded that the RTI Act was among several rights-based legislations enacted by the UPA government under Dr Manmohan Singh, including the MGNREGA, Forest Rights Act, Right to Education, Food Security Act, and Land Acquisition Act.

He said he had challenged the 2019 RTI amendments in the Supreme Court, but lamented that the case remains pending six years later.

“What is personal about activities conducted in public life?” Ramesh asked, calling on the government to amend the Data Protection Act to prevent the misuse of privacy clauses to shield officials from scrutiny.

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