Tamil Nadu Government Cancels Controversial Order Shielding Law and Order Department From RTI

The Tamil Nadu government led by C. Joseph Vijay withdrew its order on Sunday that exempted the Public (Law and Order) Department from the Right to Information Act, following strong backlash from opposition parties, transparency advocates, and even some TVK allies. A gazette notification issued by the Human Resources Management Department on 21 September had specified the department as an intelligence and security organisation under sub-section (4) of Section 24 of the RTI Act, preventing the law from applying to it. This move immediately sparked severe concerns over reduced transparency on sensitive subjects such as custodial deaths and police action during protests.

Department Scope and Criticism

The Law and Order wing handles numerous critical matters, including communal and caste clashes, National Security Act cases, enquiry reports into police firing and custodial deaths, National Human Rights Commission references, and student or political agitations. DMK MP Kanimozhi criticized the government on X, pointing out that over 500 murders had taken place and accusing the administration of trying to hide its failures. Congress leader Karti Chidambaram stated that the RTI should be expanded rather than restricted, while VCK leader Thirumavalavan called the announcement shocking and warned it would suppress human rights.

Further Reactions

CPI (M) MP Su. Venkatesan condemned the blanket exemption, noting it attempted to turn Tamil Nadu into a police state. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss also criticized the order on X for attempting to conceal government failures, while anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam called the classification absurd.