Where it all started: RTI activists celebrate 2 decades of the law in Rajasthan's Beawar, Pg8.

Key Highlights:

• RTI activists gathered in Beawar, Rajasthan to celebrate 20 years of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
• The RTI Mela was organized by Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), marking the start of the RTI movement in April 1996.
• Activists raised concerns about the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, claiming it hinders access to government information.
• The event featured activists from various states and included a recreation of the 1996 protest march.

Detailed Insights:

• The RTI movement began with rural laborers demanding access to muster rolls to ensure fair wages for public works projects.
• Activists faced threats and imprisonment during the initial movement but gained support from rural communities demanding government accountability.
• The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is seen as a threat to the RTI Act, potentially reducing government transparency and accountability.
• The RTI Mela served as a platform to discuss strategies to counter the perceived challenges to the RTI Act and to mobilize public support.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005: Legislation ensuring citizens' access to government-held information.
• Muster Roll: A record of workers' names and attendance for public works projects.
• Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Law regulating the processing of digital personal data.