Pegasus Row | 'Spying & Blackmailing A Serious Issue': Youth Congress To Hold Nationwide Protest Today

Soon after the NYT report’s revelation that the Indian government bought the spyware software Pegasus in a defence deal with Israel, there are many questions raised on the government’s intent. 

Indian Youth Congress National President Srinivas BV | ANI

New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) has called a nationwide protest in the state capitals today over the Pegasus spyware issue, said the IYC National President Srinivas BV.

Talking to news agency ANI, Srinivas said, “The manner in which the spying and blackmailing were done by Pegasus software on leaders of the opposition, on the judges, on the colleagues of the media and on other citizens makes it a serious subject, the evidence of which has now come to the fore.”

“The Prime Minister of India was busy buying Pegasus and spying while the unemployed were stumbling and sticking to the race for 'jobs'. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had asked two questions to the government in July 2021, to which the Prime Minister did not answer but now reports are out from New York Times, and the answer is quite clear," he added.

Soon after the New York Times report’s revelation that the Indian government bought the spyware software Pegasus in a defence deal with Israel, there are many questions raised on the government’s intent. 

The software was used to spy on many journalists and political leaders including Rahul Gandhi. Calling out the center for the same, Srinivas said, “The fundamental rights of the citizens of the country are being suppressed. The government has committed treason, played with national security. Country's opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, journalists of various respected media organizations and people holding constitutional posts were spied on.”

“NSO (Company owning spyware software) had said that Pegasus is used by governments to fight extremism, whereas in reality it has been used against opponents of this government," he added. 

Srinivas’ statement comes when Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will be raising the issue in Lok Sabha today. The IYC workers will be protesting in New Delhi during Gandhi’s debate in the lower house.