Freedom of expression basis of RTI, says Aruna Roy

“The right to freedom of expression is of utmost importance as it is the foundation of the Right To Information [Act],” RTI pioneer and social activist Aruna Roy said here, on Friday while expressing her support for the writers who are protesting to protect the right to freedom of expression.

Several writers across the country have returned their Sahitya Akademi Awards to protest against the increasing instances of religious intolerance in the country and the killings of writers to curb freedom of expression.

Condemning the killing of social activist Govind Pansare, and rationalists Narendra Dabholkar and M.M. Kalburgi, Ms. Roy said the Central government’s inaction over the killings was shameful.

“With the growing intolerance it seems that the future of this country will be bleak and the rights that have been given to us by the constitution will cease to exist,” Ms. Roy said while addressing the media here.

Extending her support to the writers’ protests and condemning the Dadri lynching Social activist and national convener of National Alliance for People's Movement (NAPM) Medha Patkar, who also addressed the media, said: “We condemn the acts by which the minorities are being victimised.”