Thiruvananthapuram: The Right to Information (RTI) Act, enacted on 13th October, twenty years ago, is being hailed by former civil servants and transparency advocates as a quiet yet profound revolution that has fundamentally altered the landscape of Indian governance.
In a powerful tribute posted on Facebook, Prasanth IAS, an officer who has witnessed the workings of the system from within, reflected on the law’s two-decade journey, emphasizing its transformative impact on the nation’s democratic health.
”The Right to Information Act transformed governance forever — turning secrecy into scrutiny, and hierarchy into accountability,” Prasanth wrote. “It gave ordinary citizens an extraordinary power: the right to question, to seek, and to know. RTI taught us that democracy does not end with voting — it begins with asking.”
Prasanth, whose latest book, “System Out Complete,” is a dedication to the Act, stressed that the law’s success is measured less by bureaucratic compliance and more by citizen awakening. Over the past two decades, RTI has done more than just expose corruption and inefficiency; it has served as a ‘classroom’ for the nation. “Each file opened under RTI has been a classroom, revealing how decisions are made, funds are moved, and systems are shaped,” he explained.
Challenging the notion that the law is a burden or a threat to the administration, Prasanth described RTI as the “conscience” of the system. He highlighted the fundamental belief that underpins the Act: that information is not merely a right, but a “sacred responsibility.”
The officer concluded his post with a call to reaffirm the commitment to transparency on this significant anniversary. “May we renew our faith in the idea that a file opened to light is a nation moving towards justice,” he stated. The sentiments underscore a broad consensus among policy experts that the RTI Act remains one of the most vital tools for public accountability and good governance in India.
