The PM Modi Degree row intensifies as Delhi University opposes an RTI plea seeking details of Modi’s BA degree from 1978. The university calls it mere curiosity, while the court continues hearings. Read more about the legal battle and its implications.
The controversy over PM Modi degree row has once again come into the spotlight. Delhi University (DU) has opposed an RTI plea seeking details of students who appeared for the BA exams in 1978, the year PM Modi’s degree row became a topic of discussion. The university has called the petition a matter of “mere curiosity” and not of public interest.
Delhi University’s Stand
- DU argued that the RTI Act is not meant to satisfy personal curiosity.
- The university said public interest and public curiosity are not the same.
- It raised concerns about the misuse of RTI laws to access personal data.
- It emphasized that academic records are not meant for public disclosure.
- DU has no objection to revealing the total number of students who appeared in 1978 but will not share individual details.
- The university believes disclosing such data would set a wrong precedent.
- DU has defended its stance in court, stating that data protection is important.
- It claims that educational records fall under third-party personal information.
Arguments by Solicitor General
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented DU in court.
- He stated that RTI should not be used to obtain personal details.
- He argued that allowing this would mean anyone could access private academic data.
- He mentioned that RTI activists are turning it into a profession.
- He highlighted that the law is meant for transparency in governance, not personal matters.
- Mehta pointed out that universities do not publish records in this manner.
- He said such data is not traditionally made public.
- He emphasized that the right to privacy must be respected.
RTI Applicant’s View
- Activist Neeraj Kumar filed the RTI application.
- He requested names, roll numbers, and marks of students from 1978.
- He argued that universities traditionally made such records public.
- He pointed out that academic records influence jobs, higher education, and marriages.
- He said that marks and degrees are generated by universities, making them public data.
- Kumar emphasized that universities post such data on notice boards.
- He highlighted that degrees are often verified for employment purposes.
- He stated that this information is important for transparency.
PM Modi Degree Row: Case Background
- The Delhi High Court filed the case as “University of Delhi v. Neeraj Kumar.”
- The Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of DU denied the RTI request.
- The CPIO said the request involved third-party personal data.
- In 2016, the Central Information Commission (CIC) ruled that such records are public.
- The High Court is set to hear further arguments next week.
- DU maintains that revealing individual student details is a breach of privacy.
- The RTI Act is meant for transparency, not personal interest cases.
- The final ruling will impact how academic records are handled under RTI laws.
Key Points on PM Modi Degree Row
- The RTI request aims to verify PM Modi degree row from 1978.
- DU claims revealing individual student details is a breach of privacy.
- The government says RTI laws should not be used for personal curiosity.
- The case has been ongoing for years with multiple legal challenges.
- Public curiosity remains high, but legal barriers exist to accessing such data.
- Universities argue that releasing academic records should require consent.
- The legal battle has sparked debates on privacy vs. public interest.
- The court’s decision will set a precedent for similar RTI cases.
- PM Modi degree row controversy has been a topic of discussion for years.
- The case highlights how RTI laws can be interpreted differently.
- The final ruling will determine if PM Modi degree row academic records will be made public or remain private.
The Delhi High Court will continue hearings on the case. Both sides will present further arguments. The final verdict will decide whether the RTI request is granted or denied. The case is significant for privacy laws and the scope of RTI in India.
