Why is the Govt Hiding
Chamu Shastri’s Credentials?

SDPI Demands Independent Audit of MBBS

The Social Democratic Party of India strongly condemns the Union government’s opaque and evasive response to the Right to Information application filed by ‘The Telegraph’ seeking details about the qualifications, bio-data, and salary determination of Chamu Krishna Shastri, Chairman of the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti (BBS). This deliberate withholding of information is a blatant violation of the RTI Act, 2005, and an affront to the principles of transparency and accountability that are the cornerstone of a democratic society.

The Ministry of Education’s failure to provide Shastri’s credentials or explain his Rs. 2.5 lakh monthly salary—higher than that of a central university vice-chancellor—raises serious questions about the integrity of the appointment process. Shastri’s reported affiliation with the RSS-linked Samskriti Bharati, coupled with the absence of any disclosed academic or professional qualifications, suggests that his selection may be driven by ideological loyalty rather than merit. The government’s claim that such basic information is “unavailable” is not only unacceptable but also indicative of a systemic effort to shield politically motivated appointments from public scrutiny.

This incident bears a striking resemblance to the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s degree certificate, where the government and its affiliates have consistently stonewalled RTI queries and public demands for clarity. In 2016, Arvind Kejriwal and others sought details of Modi’s claimed BA degree from Delhi University and MA degree from Gujarat University, only to be met with contradictory responses, missing records, and outright refusals. Despite the Central Information Commission directing the disclosure of these details, the government’s reluctance to provide verifiable evidence fueled allegations of misrepresentation. The parallels are undeniable: in both cases, the Union government has undermined the RTI Act to obscure the credentials of high-profile figures, eroding public trust in institutional integrity. The Ministry of Education must release Shastri’s bio-data, qualifications, and the formula for his salary without delay. Furthermore, we call for an independent audit of the BBS’s appointments and funding to ensure compliance with merit-based standards. We stand in solidarity with RTI activists and media outlets like The Telegraph in their pursuit of truth.

Mohammad Shafi
National Vice President
Social Democratic Party of India