'Modi Govt Has Committed Treason': Rahul Gandhi Attacks Center Over NYT's Pegasus Report

Slamming the central government, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Modi government "bought" Pegasus to spy on the primary "institutions of our democracy, leaders and the public".

(File Photo/ Getty Images)

Congress party on Saturday attacked the Narendra Modi government over a New York Times report that claims that the Indian government bought the Pegasus spying software as part of a deal with Israel. 

Slamming the central government, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Modi government "bought" Pegasus to spy on the primary "institutions of our democracy, leaders and the public".

As per the NYT report, Pegasus can "consistently and reliably crack the encrypted communications of any iPhone or Android smartphone" making it an effective tool to spy on people.

"Pegasus has been sold to Poland, Hungary and India, despite those countries’ questionable records on human rights," the NYT report read. 

"By tapping phones, they have targeted all including the ruling party, the opposition, the army, the judiciary. This is treason," Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter.

Modi Govt bought Pegasus to spy on our primary democratic institutions, politicians and public. Govt functionaries, opposition leaders, armed forces, judiciary all were targeted by these phone tappings. This is treason.

Modi Govt has committed treason.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 29, 2022

"The Modi government has committed treason," he alleged in his tweet in Hindi.

मोदी सरकार ने हमारे लोकतंत्र की प्राथमिक संस्थाओं, राज नेताओं व जनता की जासूसी करने के लिए पेगासस ख़रीदा था। फ़ोन टैप करके सत्ता पक्ष, विपक्ष, सेना, न्यायपालिका सब को निशाना बनाया है। ये देशद्रोह है।

मोदी सरकार ने देशद्रोह किया है। pic.twitter.com/OnZI9KU1gp

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 29, 2022

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said on Twitter, "Why did Modi Govt act like the enemies of India and use a warfare weapon against Indian citizens?"

"Illegal snooping using Pegasus amounts to treason. No one is above the law and we will ensure that justice is served," he added.

“They had reason for the warm feelings. Their countries had agreed on the sale of a package of sophisticated weapons and intelligence gear worth roughly $2 billion — with Pegasus and a missile system as the centerpieces,” the NYT report added.