Gandhian Thought and Right to Information

1. Gandhian Thought and Right to Information Nonviolent Weapon against Might, Suppression and Exploitation Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

2. Antyodaya to Sarvodaya: An Introduction “Information” for upliftment of all “I want world sympathy in this battle of right against might [and corruption].” – Mahatma Gandhi Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

3. Mahatma Gandhi as Crusader of Rights • Nonviolent crusader of peoples’ rights • Fought for dignity of individual • Wanted corruption-free government • Believed in dictum “That government is best which governs the least”. • His highest ideal of self-regulating society never to be realised • Hence, second best ideal of Indian democratic State where fundamental rights are with the people Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

4. RTI as Fundamental Right • RTI is a “ facet” of Articles 19 (1) (a) and 21 of Constitution of India (writ petition-civil-no. 436, 2019, SCI. Anjali Bharadwaj and Others Vs Union of India and Others. Several other cases are mentioned by the SC Bench in judgement on this case). • As fundamental right it cannot be suspended even in a national emergency Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

5. RTI for Good Governance • Mahatma Gandhi seeks openness and transparency • Age of globalisation and knowledge also requires right to know, accountability, efficiency, feedback and response • RTI gives right to people for preventing “corridors of power” becoming “absolutely corrupt” Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

6. Gandhian Features of RTI • Nonviolent way • Open service rendered openly to people • Greater responsibility for leaders and public servants • Constant public vigil on government • Mediapersons also use this right • Inclusion of private sector though indirectly • Strengthening of democracy Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

7. Gandhian Perspective on RTI • Gandhi favoured voluntary action and self-imposed restrictions more than constitutional provisions • Mahatma Gandhi has often been contradictory in his expressed opinions and ideas, for example, “trusteeship” • Yet he regarded ‘contradiction’ in one’s opinions as a sign of development and maturity (Preliminary pages of his Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule) • RTI is necessary under present day circumstances of erstwhile massive political, financial “disorder” and “bureaucratic laxity” towards tax payers and India as a nation Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

8. Exclusion in Rights to Information • Private actors • Other exclusions • Gandhi prefers development of voluntary culture for self analysis of responsibility and accountability • For Mahatma Gandhi, until there evolves a universal belief and faith in complete nonviolence, constitutional provisions may be fully applied • Gandhian philosophy is in favour of fuller inclusive nature of right to information Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

9. RTI Issues • Filling of application forms for seeking information from public offices must be fully stopped for it is an exclusionary provision • Different categories of queries may be answered by stipulating varied time limit • Several lakhs of cases pending: more positions must be created in CICs and SICs for enhancing work efficiency • Pre-requisites need to be added before accepting RTI query to stop misuse its misuse Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

10. Gandhian Views on Democracy and Rights • Larger the democracy is, the more difficult to maintain it with its weaknesses and strengths • Western democracies are having elements of Nazism and Fascism • Indian democracy is real one • Right to perform one’s duty is the only right for which one should live and even die for it • All rights follow suit when right to duty is fulfilled • People must limit their rights to state policy. This is necessary for a sovereign and independent democratic country like India • Yet political freedoms, liberties and rights are necessary for fuller development of individual personality, healthy national democratic character • In every area, a balanced approach is needed -- Mahatma Gandhi, “Indian Democracy”, India of My Dreams (Hindi Edition), Navajivan, Ahmadabad, 1960, pp. 17-23. Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre

11. Conclusion • RTI is an educational and awareness instrument in Indian Democracy • Bringing greater transparency and accountability in affairs of government • More opportunities of communication between people and government • This is a nonviolent tool in the hands of people to oversee functioning of peoples’ representatives and bureaucracy • Every government official can be questioned any moment • This is fourth generation of human rights and functions like a, as it were, “fifth estate” of democracy in edition to the fourth estate of mediapersons Gandhi and RTI; Anurag Gangal, Professor, Jammu University, fromer Director, Gandhian Centre