The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday revoked a notification that had exempted the Public (Law and Order) Department from the Right to Information Act (RTI), following criticism from political leaders and allies. The reversal came hours after the government issued a Gazette notification classifying the department as an 'Intelligence and Security Organisation,' which would have restricted public access to certain records. The official communication confirmed the order under Section 24(4) of the RTI Act had been rescinded, reported ANI.

The original notification, issued by the Human Resources Management Department, used Section 24(4) to classify the Law and Order Department as an intelligence and security organisation. This would have excluded it from the RTI framework, limiting public access to information on communal clashes, political agitations, police action, custodial deaths, and other sensitive law-and-order matters. However, the exemption was not absolute; access to information on corruption and human rights violations remained protected under the Act.

The move drew sharp criticism from opposition and alliance partners. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram accused the government of setting a 'bad precedent' and argued that the RTI Act should be expanded, not restricted. He highlighted that the department handles crucial information on police firings, custodial deaths, and politically sensitive cases. After the government withdrew the notification, Chidambaram welcomed the decision, urging the administration to avoid bureaucratic overreach.

BJP's Tamilisai Soundararajan also criticized the original notification, calling it 'undemocratic' and questioning the government's fear of RTI. The DMK's Kanimozhi accused the Vijay-led government of attempting to cover up its failures, stating that the move was 'shameful' and contradicted the promises of change.

The reversal means the Law and Order Department is no longer exempt from RTI. The RTI Act, enacted in 2005, provides a legal framework for public access to information held by public authorities, with specified exemptions. The government has not provided a detailed explanation for the initial exemption or the subsequent withdrawal. The rationale for classifying the department as an intelligence and security organisation remains unclear, with no official justification provided in the available material.

The decision has sparked debate on the balance between transparency and security. While the RTI Act aims to promote democratic accountability, the exemption raised concerns about potential suppression of information on sensitive law-and-order issues. The government's reversal has been welcomed by critics, but the lack of a clear rationale leaves questions about the original intent and the broader implications for transparency and governance in Tamil Nadu.