The right to (dis)information

When Aruna Roy won the Magsaysay Award for her fight for the people's Right to Information, I was surprised

The right to (dis)information

When Aruna Roy won the Magsaysay Award for her fight for the people's Right to Information, I was surprised.

Not that I do not have the highest regard for Ms Roy, her associates and their demand for transparency in administration.

It is just that the right to information is something that is taken for granted in Indian society. Anyone opens (and reads) anyone's letters. Anyone asks embarrassing questions. There is no such thing as a private matter.

When I started working, I found that this perceived right to know went beyond parents and siblings.
Neighbours, old aunts and virtual strangers would ask me, "If you don't mind my asking, how much do you earn?" I did mind! In our family nobody read letters uninvited or asked such questions.
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I minded. I felt like saying 'MYOB (Mind Your Own Business)'. But, in India, it is rude not to answer personal questions... Prying is part of our style of communication. Information about other people's affairs is our birthright, without the need of parliamentary legislation.

As we enter the lift, the attendant enquires, "Have you taken your breakfast?" Or "What had you taken for your meals?" Not that he is morbidly interested in your digestive tract. He just considers it boorish to ride 9 floors in silence, without small talk.

We once had a foreign lady visitor to our office. I was in a meeting, so I asked the office assistant to look after her for a short while. By the time I returned the lady was looking pink and flustered. She had answered many personal questions: Was she married? How much was she paid? Where did she live?

As I entered, our attendant was shooting his next enquiry. "Wohn House, ah?? Rented house, ah?" He meant no offense! Just being a warm, friendly Indian.

So! Why do we need a Right to Information Act? If you have been following the talk shows on TV this week you probably know. Our netas believe they have a Right to Dis-Information! "This is malicious propaganda spread by vested interests." "I am innocent. I have been framed." "There is no dissent in the party." And so on...

Congratulations, Arunaji! For your efforts to strengthen us in our struggle against our leaders' Right to Dis-Information.'