Only PM or HM are in a position to respond to questions on Pegasus, says Jairam Ramesh

Seeking clarifications from the new IT Minister is a macabre joke since he was himself the target of surveillance, says Congress Chief

Parliament has failed to function for nine consecutive days as the Opposition wants a debate on the Pegasus spyware controversy, with a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah, while all the government is only willing to allow clarifications from IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Underlining the lack of intent from the government to address key issues such as price rise and farmers’ agitation apart from the snooping scandal, Congress’s Chief Whip in Rajya Sabha, Jairam Ramesh says passing bills in the din is a complete mockery and an insult to the people. The demand of all opposition parties is first and foremost a discussion on Pegasus with a reply from Home Minister Amit Shah. This is because snooping and surveillance have grave implications not only for the constitutional rights of citizens but also for national security. The government says we can seek clarifications from the new IT Minister. This is a macabre joke since the new IT Minister was himself the target of Pegasus snooping and surveillance. Of course they are! I myself have given notices on both the current economic situation and the ongoing farmer’s protests way back on July 23 before the Pegasus episode unfolded. A number of my colleagues and also friends in Opposition have submitted similar notices. We haven’t heard anything from the Chairman on these notices.