The Right to Information (RTI) Act, a cornerstone of democratic transparency, is being undermined in Jammu & Kashmir with a disregard that borders on contempt. Unlike other states and Union Territories, where RTI applications are at least acknowledged, J&K’s public authorities treat these requests with alarming indifference. This systemic failure to respond, even to sensitive queries, reflects a deeper malaise: a blatant disrespect for the rule of law and, by extension, the Constitution itself.
The RTI Act empowers citizens to hold public officials accountable, ensuring governance remains transparent and responsive. In J&K, however, applications often vanish into bureaucratic black holes. Information seekers face delays, incomplete replies, or outright silence, even when queries pertain to critical issues like public safety, governance, or misuse of power. This is not just inefficiency—kit’s a deliberate obstruction of a fundamental right. Such actions erode public trust and weaken the democratic fabric of the region.
Public officials in J&K must recognize that ignoring RTI applications is not a mere administrative lapse but a violation of constitutional principles. When authorities flout a law designed to uphold transparency, they position themselves as outlaws, undermining the very system they are sworn to serve. This culture of impunity cannot be tolerated. Officials who fail to comply with the RTI Act should face stringent consequences, akin to those imposed on lawbreakers, including disciplinary action and legal accountability.
The situation demands urgent reform. The J&K government must enforce strict timelines for RTI responses, penalize non-compliance, and sensitize officials to the Act’s importance. Citizens, too, must persist in using RTI as a tool to demand accountability, refusing to be silenced by bureaucratic apathy. The state’s leadership must lead by example, ensuring that transparency is not just a promise but a practice.
J&K’s RTI crisis is a litmus test for its commitment to democracy. If officials continue to treat the law with disdain, they risk alienating citizens and destabilizing trust in governance. It’s time to act decisively—uphold the RTI Act, punish violators, and restore the constitutional values that J&K’s people deserve.
