New Delhi: Leaders of various opposition parties on Wednesday issued a joint statement in response to the Home Minister demanding a discussion on the Pegasus spyware scandal. Leaders include leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, Trinamool Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal.
The parties said they were united and firm in their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus issue in both houses as “it is a matter of national security”.
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The opposition parties further said that the discussion on the Pegasus issue should be followed by the farmers’ issues and the movement arising out of the three anti-farmer and black agricultural laws.
“It is unfortunate that the government has launched a misleading campaign to malign the united opposition and to blame it for the continued disruption in Parliament. The responsibility for the impasse lies entirely at the doorstep of the government, which is arrogant and adamant and refuses to accept denies. Opposition demands for an informed debate in both the Houses,” the statement read.
The 18 leaders who signed the joint statement include Leader of Opposition from Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, DMK’s TR Baalu, Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Raut, CPI(M)’s Elaram Karim.
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Most of the monsoon sessions of Parliament have been disrupted due to the Pegasus dispute and the Agricultural Act. The opposition has been demanding a discussion since day one.
Apart from political leaders, various journalists, doctors, lawyers and activists have been the victims of spying of the center allegedly using military-grade spyware. However, the government has completely denied this report and termed it as a conspiracy to defame the ruling government.
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