RTI activists fume over ‘difficulty’ of obtaining data in BJP-led govt

Ahna Prakash | NT

Bengaluru:

RTI activists say that it has become difficult for them to obtain data from the BJP-led government over the last few years. They say that most of their RTIs are disposed of, or they never get the data. Narasm Murthy, an RTI activist, filed an RTI request in January 2022. He wanted data on the castewise vice chancellor recruitment in colleges in Karnataka. However, his RTI query was disposed of.

“A few years ago, it was far easier to get any data. The same RTI query was filed by me in 2012 as well, and I was given the data. So this is something new that we have been seeing in recent years. It is clear that the government is reluctant to give data on particular topics. If it was something that wouldn’t question the government, it would not be this difficult to get information,” said Murthy. He also added that the right to information is a constitutional right, and the government and authorities should acknowledge that.

RTI activists also allege that the government is not taking any steps to protect RTI activists in Karnataka. “It is not any secret that several RTI activists have been killed in the state in recent times. The government doesn’t protect the interests of RTI activists but rather targets us,” said Ram Ramesh Kunigal, the president of the Karnataka RTI Forum.

Recently, many lawyers, human rights activists, and RTI activists gathered to question the current situation of RTI activists. The protest was held at Freedom Park in Bengaluru where RTI activists demanded the government protect the rights of RTI activists. Another RTI activist, Suryakant, said that in online RTI filing, there are a lot of departments that are not shown in the tab. “The whole idea behind online RTI filing is that people from anywhere should be able to file a request. But if the table doesn’t show all the departments. How is one supposed to file a request?

Most people wouldn’t travel to different offices to obtain information,” said Suryakant.Ahna Prakash | NT Bengaluru: RTI activists say that it has become difficult for them to obtain data from the BJP-led government over the last few years. They say that most of their RTIs are disposed of, or they never get the data.

Narasm Murthy, an RTI activist, filed an RTI request in January 2022. He wanted data on the castewise vice chancellor recruitment in colleges in Karnataka. However, his RTI query was disposed of. “A few years ago, it was far easier to get any data. The same RTI query was filed by me in 2012 as well, and I was given the data. So this is something new that we have been seeing in recent years. It is clear that the government is reluctant to give data on particular topics. If it was something that wouldn’t question the government, it would not be this difficult to get information,” said Murthy. He also added that the right to information is a constitutional right, and the government and authorities should acknowledge that.

RTI activists also allege that the government is not taking any steps to protect RTI activists in Karnataka. “It is not any secret that several RTI activists have been killed in the state in recent times. The government doesn’t protect the interests of RTI activists but rather targets us,” said Ram Ramesh Kunigal, the president of the Karnataka RTI Forum.

Recently, many lawyers, human rights activists, and RTI activists gathered to question the current situation of RTI activists. The protest was held at Freedom Park in Bengaluru where RTI activists demanded the government protect the rights of RTI activists. Another RTI activist, Suryakant, said that in online RTI filing, there are a lot of departments that are not shown in the tab.

“The whole idea behind online RTI filing is that people from anywhere should be able to file a request. But if the table doesn’t show all the departments. How is one supposed to file a request? Most people wouldn’t travel to different offices to obtain information,” said Suryakant.