In a democracy, the power ultimately lies with the people. Governments, institutions, and ministries operate under public accountability. To ensure transparency, the Right to Information (RTI) Act was introduced in 2005 under the Manmohan Singh government, empowering citizens to seek information about government decisions, policies, and expenditures. However, in recent years, RTI has been systematically weakened. Reports suggest that over 23,000 appeals are pending in the Central Information Commission (CIC), and several State Information Commissions have remained inactive since 2020. Many crucial positions of Information Commissioners remain vacant, leading to delays and denial of information. The RTI movement began in the 1980s with grassroots activism in Rajasthan, led by MKSS (Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan). Their struggle resulted in the RTI Act, which became a powerful tool against corruption. But the government has taken steps to dilute its impact. The 2019 RTI Amendment Act removed fixed terms and salaries for Information Commissioners, placing them under government control, compromising their independence. Further, the 2023 Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act introduced provisions restricting access to crucial information under the pretext of privacy. These changes raise serious concerns about transparency and accountability in governance. Why is the government limiting citizens' access to information? Is this an attempt to suppress inquiries into corruption and policy decisions? If RTI continues to weaken, the very foundation of democracy is at risk. Watch this episode of News That Matters to understand how RTI is being systematically undermined and what it means for the future of transparency in India.