Pegasus Controversy: Opposition parties attack Modi government

After a report in The New York Times which disclosed that the Indian Government had purchased Israeli spyware Pegasus in 2017 as part of a $2-billion package, the opposition parties have launched an attack on the Modi government.

They have alleged that the software was used to snoop on various constitutional authorities and others in the country, hence, according to them, this amounts to “treason.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a tweet alleged that the Modi government bought the spyware to snoop on the primary institutions, leaders and common public.

“The Modi government bought Pegasus to spy on the primary institutions of our democracy, state leaders and the public. The ruling party, the opposition, the army, the judiciary, all have been targeted by tapping their phones. This is treason. The Modi government has committed treason,” Gandhi Tweeted.

Another senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also raised questions and said that the use of illegal snooping using Pegasus amounts to treason.

He tweeted, “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.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Member of Parliament from Shiv Sena alleged that the government has used the taxpayers’ money to snoop on them.

“Indian taxpayers money used for snoop and surveilling Indians! Hard earned money used to turn the country into one massive big boss studio just to monitor its own countrymen. This tech could have been used to ensure neighbouring nations do not occupy our territory but alas!,” she wrote.