Press organisations condemn “Pegasus” Spying. HM says it’s by Destructors n for obstructers

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While the union home minister Amit Shah has on Monday categorically criticised the report on Pegasus alleged tapping of phones / Surveillance of about 40 journalists and some opposition leaders including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, TMC leader, Abhishek Banerjee, election strategist Prashant Kishore, former election commissioner Ashok Lavasa etc, terming it as ,”by the disruptors and for the disruptors,” , several journalist organisations viz The Press Club of India, Indian Women Press Corps and Mumbai Press Club criticised and deplored the act of alleged spying on the phones of journalists, terming it as an unfortunate act that may lead to anarchy.

The media organisations demanded a high level enquiry into the entire affair, condemning it unequivocally. The Press Club of India in its two tweets wrote: This is the first time in the history of this country that all pillars of our democracy – judiciary, Parliamentarians, media, executives n ministers – have been spied upon. This is unprecedented and the PCI condemns it unequivocally. The snooping has been done for interior motives adding further that what is disturbing is the fact that a foreign agency, which has nothing to do with the national interest of the country, was engaged to spy on its citizens. The PCI tweet further says that the govt should come out clean on this issue and clarify.

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Another Women journalists organisation , Indian Women Press Corps while expressing it’s concern tweeted : It is unfortunate that in a democracy like India, journalists have to go through something like this in the course of their work. Independent journalism is one of the most important tools to uphold the rights, the Constitution grants the citizens of the country said IWPF tweet.

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The Mumbai Press Club too while condemning the alleged spying and demanding an independent enquiry into this matter, in its tweet wrote: We strongly condemn the spying on the phones of 40 Indian journalists, among others Though the government has neither confirmed nor denied the spying, Pegasus software is sold only to governments. It demanded an impartial inquiry into this entire affair.

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In parliament which remained quite noisy on this issue with opposition accusing the treasury benches and creating an uproar after the sensational report of Wire was published over alleged spying of certain journalists and politicians including Rahul Gandhi n others, as per the TOI report, the Union home minister Amit Shah indicating towards Congress and opposition said : Disruptors and obstructers will not be able to derail India’s development trajectory through their conspiracies. Monsoons session will bear new fruits of progress. The report which has been amplified by a few sections with only one aim – to do whatever is possible and humiliate India at the world stage, peddle the same old narratives about our nation and derail India’s development trajectory. People have often associated this phrase with much lighter vein, but today I want to seriously say, the timings of the selective leaks, the disruptions, Aap Chronology samajhiye said the home minister. The new minister of IT, Railways and communication Vaishnaw too strongly contradicting this report categorically said that this is an attempt to malign Indian democracy and its well established institutions

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi however tweeted : Unke Darr par Hansi Aati Hai, Ye Bhartiya Jaasoos Party hai with hashtag. Meanwhile Rajya Sabha Congress leader Kharge too demanded an impartial enquiry into this episode with resignation of the Union home minister.

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Meanwhile Youth Congress activists on Monday protested in Delhi against the Pegasus alleged spying on their leader Rahul Gandhi, other politicians, journalists etc saying that this used to be during British colonial era against their Indian rivals.

The Youth Congress chief B V Sriniwas criticising the present regime said During British days “spying” was their business, even today when they have gone, the business of “spying” continues, when will they improve? He also said that 7 years have passed just that he does not listen to our ‘Mann Ki Baat’. After 7 years, we have got to know that through Pegasus he was listening to ‘Mann Ki Baat’ while sitting in WhatsApp, gallery etc.

Many Youth Congress workers including National General Secretary of Youth Congress and Delhi In-charge Bhaiya Pawar, Secretary Mukesh Kumar, Shivi Chauhan, Milind Gautam, Vineet Kamboj, Delhi Youth Congress President Rannvijay Lochav, Chhattisgarh Youth Congress President Coco Padhi, actively participated in the demonstration.

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