– Abdul Bari Masoud
New Delhi – The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) on Thursday demanded the repeal of Section 44(3) of the Digital Data Protection Act (DDPA), asserting that the provision weakens the Right to Information (RTI) Act and defeats the very objective of transparency in governance.
Addressing a joint press conference, senior INDIA bloc leaders—including Gaurav Gogoi from the Congress, Priyanka Chaturvedi from Shiv Sena, John Brittas from CPI(M), MM Abdullah from DMK, and Javed Ali from the Samajwadi Party—revealed that the DDPA had initially been extensively discussed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
However, Gogoi pointed out that, in typical fashion, the final version of the Bill presented in Parliament was amended and differed significantly from the JPC’s recommendations. He further noted that the Bill was passed in 2023 at a time when the Opposition had moved a no-confidence motion against the government over its failure to control the situation in Manipur.
Gogoi emphasized that the Act, in its current form, poses serious threats to the Right to Information and freedom of expression. “As we have understood it clearly, the recent amendments have had a draconian impact on citizens’ rights and press freedom,” he said. “The DDPA has effectively undermined another important law passed by Parliament—the Right to Information Act.”
Explaining the issue further, Gogoi cited Section 8(1) of the RTI Act, which states that information can be withheld only if it lacks public interest. However, if the information serves a public interest—even if it involves personal details—it must be disclosed.
He argued that Section 44(3) of the DDPA directly contradicts this provision by stating that no obligation exists to disclose any information related to personal data, regardless of public interest.
“Very surreptitiously, maliciously, and mischievously, citizens’ right to information has been stripped away through the DDPA,” Gogoi remarked, while calling for the immediate repeal of Section 44(3).
The INDIA bloc leaders disclosed that they have prepared a petition addressed to the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, signed by around 120 to 130 leaders, demanding the removal of the contentious section.
They asserted that repealing Section 44(3) would not alter the fundamental purpose of the Digital Data Protection Act but would help preserve the “soul of the RTI Act.”
