Right to Know

Right to Know Latest News

Recently, the Supreme Court of India quashed a Delhi High Court order that had directed the Wikimedia Foundation (which hosts Wikipedia) to remove a user-created page and associated discussion.

Supreme Court’s Observations

• The ruling reaffirmed that the “Right to Know” is a basic right under Article 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech and Expression) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty).

Significance of the “Right to Know”

• The Right to Know is essential to enable citizens to:
  • Participate in public discourse and democratic processes,
  • Access justice effectively, and
  • Hold public authorities accountable.
• The judgment reinforced that public discussion and criticism of courts is a legitimate aspect of democracy and must not be equated with contempt without careful consideration.

Constitutional Significance of the Right to Know

• Under Article 19(1)(a) – Freedom of Speech and Expression: This article ensures the right to express opinions through speech, writing, and other media. As per the Supreme Court, this includes the Right to Know about:
  • Government activities
  • Public decision-making
  • Court proceedings
• The Court reiterated that freedom of expression covers the right to receive information, which is vital for democracy.
• Under Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty: The Right to Know is also implicit in Article 21, as it enables citizens to:
  • Access justice
  • Participate in governance
  • Live with dignity through informed decision-making
• The Supreme Court in the Menaka Gandhi Case (1978) expanded Article 21 to include a broad range of rights, now including access to truthful public information:
  • Right to live with dignity,
  • Right to livelihood,
  • Right to privacy,
  • Right to shelter,
  • Right to a clean environment,
  • Right to information (including Right to Know).

Right to Know FAQs

Q1: What is the ‘Right to Know’ in India?
Ans: The Right to Know is an implicit part of the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, empowering citizens to access public information.

Q2: Which Act operationalised the Right to Know in India?
Ans: The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 formalised this right, allowing citizens to demand transparency and accountability from public authorities.

Source: TH

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