1 hr ago
Tamil Nadu Revokes RTI Exemption After Political Backlash
The Tamil Nadu government had issued an order that would have kept many law-and-order records away from people requesting information.
The order treated the Public (Law and Order) Department like an intelligence and security organisation.
This could have affected information about police action, custodial deaths, communal clashes and protests.
Several political parties and transparency groups strongly objected.
They said people should be able to examine how the police and government handle these matters.
Some critics also said the move could weaken human rights protections.
A government minister defended the need for limits on expression while discussing the original order.
After the criticism, the government withdrew the order on Sunday.
The department therefore remains covered by the RTI framework described in the reports.
The Tamil Nadu government withdrew its order exempting the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act.
The September 21 notification had classified the department as an intelligence and security organisation under Section 24(4).
Critics warned the exemption could restrict access to information about custodial deaths, police firings, protests, and communal clashes.
Congress, VCK, CPI(M), PMK, DMK and transparency advocates condemned the proposed exemption.
The government reversed the decision on Sunday following political and public criticism.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu government, led by C. Joseph Vijay, withdrew the order after criticism from Opposition parties, allies and transparency advocates.
- What
- It revoked a notification exempting the Public (Law and Order) Department from the Right to Information Act, 2005.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, with the order issued by the state's Human Resources Management Department.
- When
- The original notification was dated September 21, and the withdrawal occurred on Sunday.
- Why
- The government reversed the move after widespread backlash over concerns that it would reduce transparency on sensitive law-and-order matters.
Transparency Critics
Government Defense
Access to law-and-order records
Transparency Critics
Opponents said exempting the entire department would shield information about custodial deaths, police action, communal clashes, protests and other sensitive matters from public scrutiny.
Government Defense
The order classified the department as an intelligence and security organisation under Section 24(4), while School Education Minister A. Rajmohan argued that limits, or a 'Lakshman Rekha,' should be observed regarding freedom of expression.
Impact on human rights
Transparency Critics
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and other critics warned that the exemption could suppress human rights and weaken transparency.
Government Defense
The government ultimately withdrew the order, but the reports do not provide a detailed public justification for the original notification.
Key facts
- Original notification
- Issued by the Human Resources Management Department on September 21.
- Legal provision
- The order invoked sub-section (4) of Section 24 of the RTI Act.
- Proposed classification
- The Public (Law and Order) Department was classified as an intelligence and security organisation.
- Potentially affected records
- Records could have included police-firing inquiries, custodial-death reports, communal incidents and protest-related matters.
- Political response
- Congress, VCK, CPI(M), PMK and DMK figures criticized the proposed exemption.
- Government response
- The order was withdrawn on Sunday after the backlash.
Quotes
Tamil Nadu government order
The fresh government order formally revoking the RTI exemption.
“The sole objective of this government order is to conceal the government’s failures in maintaining law and order. Such an approach is wrong. These data are essential tools for assessing how effectively law and order is being maintained in a state. Instead of prohibiting the disclosure of such information, the government should use this data to improve law and order.”
theprint.in
“Despite more than five hundred murders, a government incapable of restoring law and order is now attempting to restrict RTI rights so that people cannot even seek information about law and order, apparently to cover up its own failures. This is shameful. Is this the change they promised?”
thestatesman.com
Sources
TN govt revokes controversial order exempting Law and Order dept from RTI Act after backlash
After backlash from Oppn & allies, Vijay govt revokes RTI exemption for law & order department
Tamil Nadu’s Vijay government revokes order exempting Law and Order department from RTI ambit
TN govt revokes controversial RTI move amid backlash
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