True democracy is essentially the end point of an asymptotic process, which every nation aspires to reach. Any step that takes India closer to democracy is therefore absolutely necessary. The recent passage of the RTI act by the Government and its enthusiastic use by the citizenry were indeed steps towards true democracy. However the Cabinet’s decision to reconsider these steps should alarm every Indian who looks forward to the attainment of democracy in our motherland.

We should protest such a calculated attack on a process which we believe has given hope to every Indian that the Government has sufficient trust in its citizens to give them the right to question the Government's action in a transparent manner. Progress is a very tortuous journey for any nation. Backtracking is to be shunned with our every strength!

Prof Mohan Bhagat, Director, AID