Govt order authorising agencies to monitor data on any computer met with stern criticism, concern

Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav termed the order unconstitutional and said the present government should refrain from making such moves with just a few month left for the general elections.

If anybody is going to monitor computers then it is an Orwellian state (a condition that George Orwell identified as destructive for a free society).”(Image: PTI)

New Delhi: The order of Ministry of Home Affairs authorising central investigative, security and intelligence agencies to intercept call and monitor data on any computer, has drawn flak from a number of opposition leaders, with many calling it as unconstitutional and against fundamental rights. Likening the order to an Orwellian state, former Union Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram said: “though I have not studied the matter, but if anybody is going to monitor computers then it is an Orwellian state (a condition that George Orwell identified as destructive for a free society).” Congress leader Anand Sharma said the order was against the right to privacy, which was a fundamental right. "The government has done it by stealth and we collectively oppose it. This gives unlimited powers to all these agencies to monitor every information that interests them and complete surveillance which is unacceptable in democracy," he said. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury took to Twitter to voice his opinion."Why is every Indian being treated like a criminal? This order by a govt wanting to snoop on every citizen is unconstitutional and in breach of the telephone tapping guidelines, the Privacy Judgement and the Aadhaar judgement," he wrote.

Why is every Indian being treated like a criminal? This order by a govt wanting to snoop on every citizen is unconstitutional and in breach of the telephone tapping guidelines, the Privacy Judgement and the Aadhaar judgement. https://t.co/vJXs6aycP0

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) December 21, 2018

Samajwadi Party's Ram Gopal Yadav termed the order unconstitutional and said the present government should refrain from making such moves with just a few month left for the general elections. TMC's Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said the move was 'draconian while RJD's Manoj Jha said that it was a cause of concern for not just parliamentarians, but for every Indian. The government on Friday via an official notification authorised ten security and intelligence agencies, including Central Bureau of Investigation, Intelligence Bureau and National Investigation Agency (NIA), to intercept and monitor "any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer". According to the order, the subscriber or service provider or any person in charge of the computer resource will be bound to extend all facilities and technical assistance to the agencies. Failing to do so will invite seven-year imprisonment and fine. (inputs from agencies)