Union Minister Slams Opposition Protests In Parliament

The Pegasus spyware issue has become into a political controversy, disrupting Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha since the start of the Monsoon session on July 19.

As Opposition protests over alleged snooping using Pegasus spyware continue to disrupt Parliamentary proceedings, Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said the controversy was a “non-issue” and that the government was ready for discussions on people-related issues.

The Pegasus spyware row has now turned into a political controversy, disrupting Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha since the start of the Monsoon session on July 19. Though the IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has given a statement on the issue in both the Houses, the Opposition parties are not satisfied and are demanding specific answers.

As the protests continued for another day in Lok Sabha, the proceedings were adjourned. The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pralhad Joshi, urged the protesting members to allow the House to function while speaking during the Question Hour.

Considering that the IT Minister has already given a detailed statement on the issue in both the Houses, Joshi described the Opposition’s behaviour as “unfortunate” and said that the spyware issue was not a serious one.

“There are so many issues directly related to the people of India… government is ready for discussions,” he said.

Also read: Monsoon Session: Deadlock Continues, Lok Sabha Adjourned Till 2 PM, Rajya Sabha Till Noon

This week, the Lower House had passed some bills without much discussion amid the noise. “We don’t want to pass bills without discussions,” Pralhad Joshi said. Amid uproar, Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day.

During Question Hour, Opposition members raised slogans and displayed placards as they protested on Pegasus spyware controversy and other issues.