Janne Ka Haq.  RTI song:  We have the right to know ... 

Lyrics by Charul & Vinay (Ahmedabad).  Translation by Pallavi S et al. 

mere sapnon ka janne ka huk re             My dreams have a right to know
kyun sadiyon se toot rahe hai                  why they have been shattering for years
inko sajne ka naam nahin                       like they do not want to get fulfilled  

mere haathon ko janne ka huk re          My hands have the right to know
kyun barson se khali pade re                 why they have been empty for years
inhein aaj bhi kaam nahi hai                  they till today do not have a job

mere pairon ko yeh janne ka huk re       My legs have the right to know
kyon gaon gaon chalna pade re             why they walk from village to village
kyon bus ka nishan nahi                       why there is no trace of a bus

meri bhUkh ko yeh janne ka huk re       My hunger has the right to know
kyon godamon mein sadte hain daane    why are foodgrains rotting in the godowns
mujhe mutthi bhar dhan nahi (paddy)       I dont even have a handful of grain.

meri budhi maa ko janne ka huk re          My old mother has the right to know
kyon goli nahi sui davakhane                 why are there no medicines in the clinics                

patti tanke ka saman nahi                      why there are no bandages or stiching aid.

mere kheton ko yeh janne ka huk re       my fields have the right to know
kyon bandh bane re bade bade                why are there big dams being built for water,
To bhi faslon mein jaan nahi                    and still there is no life in my crops.

mere jungalon ko yeh janne ka huk re       My woods have a right to know
kahan daliyan woh patte tane mitti             where are the branches, leaves and earth
kyon jharno ka nam nahi                         why there is no trace of springs.

meri nadiyon ko janne ka huk re                My rivers have the right to know
kyon zeher milaye karkhane                      why are the factories poisoning the rivers
jaise nadiyoon mein jaan nahi                   as though the rivers dont have life.

mere gaon ko jaan ne ka huk re                My villages have the right to know
kyon bijli na sadke na pani                       why there is no electricity, road or water supply
khuli ration ki dukan nahi                         Nor ration shop open

mere voton ko ye jann ne ka huk re           My vote has the right to know
kyon ek din bade bade vaade                   Why one day we hear big promises
fir panch saal kam nahi                            And for five years, no work

mere raam ko janne ka huk re                My god has the right to know
rehman ko ye jannne ka huk re                why there is bloodshed on the streets
kyon khoon bahe re sadkon pe                as though we are not human beings.
kya sab insaan nahi

meri zindagi ko janne ka hak re             My life has a right to know
ab hak ke bina bhi kya jeena                if my life is worthy of living without promises
yeh jeene ke samaan nahin                   is it even equivalent to living.