In a setback to research scholars and those interested in history of India’s freedom movement, the National Archives of India (NAI) has said that the records related to the 1857 mutiny are in Urdu and not in a condition to be copied. In a response to a Right to Information (RTI) filed by activist Salim Beg, the NAI has expressed its inability to provide him with the information. Beg wanted to know details about the freedom fighters up to the end of the British rule. He also sought to have information on those who contributed in the 1857 mutiny and on various movements and meetings related to freedom struggle.
“The records are available with the department in Urdu and are not in a condition to be copied,” was the NAI reply. On the query related to freedom fighters, the department said: “Providing this information needs a lot of analysis. And in the absence of definitive context eg file number, department/ ministry, branch/section sharing the information warrants a lot of research. As per the rules, Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) needs to provide information available with Government bodies and not conduct researches on behalf of any applicant,” the RTI reply said. The NAI said that extensive records relating to that period are available with it and any Indian citizen is entitled to access and study them on any working day, according to the Public Records Act, 1993.