Antony swings to the defence, says transparency on the rise
08 Jun 2011
Manning the ramparts for a government besieged by anti-corruption activists, defence minister A K Antony today said the country is going through an unstoppable ''transparency revolution''.
Focussing largely on the Right to Information Act, his government's showpiece legislation towards greater transparency passed in 2005, Antony said, ''The country is passing through a new revolution, the transparency revolution. The walls of secrecy are crumbling in every field gradually, including politics, business, administration and the judiciary. The trend has started, and you can't stop it midway.''
In a seeming admission of weakness, however, the defence minister added, "All those who are in key positions in India - politicians, the bureaucracy, judiciary, business people, the armed forces, and journalists are still not ready for this transition to transparency. But that is also a phase of Indian democracy. After few years they will accept the transition – it will go on.''
The reference to journalists seemed a trifle barbed, as he was addressing the media at the Press Club of India after inaugurating a new conference hall there.
Crediting Parliament for passing the RTI Act, Antony said, ''For that (increasing transparency), you have to give credit to Indian media, NGOs (non-government organisations) and social activists. But ultimately it was the Indian Parliament which pushed through the RTI Act.''
Painting a rosy picture amid reports that RTI applications are getting increasingly blocked, he further said, ''Instead of going backward, I think in the years to come, the RTI Act will spread to new areas. I think every facet of human life will be transparent. This is happening in India under the law.''
Cautioning the media, Antony said the society is getting increasingly industrialised and there is a clash of interests between various groups. ''In this environment, you shouldn't allow anybody to use you ... the media shouldn't allow itself to be manipulated by vested interests and groups.''