Pegasus spyware ‘non-issue’; govt ready to discuss matters related to people: Pralhad Joshi

Manjil Das, INN/Chennai
Twitter-@SGiggle29 @Infodeaofficial

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said Friday that the uproar over suspected eavesdropping using Pegasus spyware was a “non-issue” and that the administration was open for conversations on people-related matters.

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been disrupted since July 19 because of the Pegasus spyware issue. Opposition parties are unsatisfied and want precise answers from IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who has made a speech on the subject in both Houses.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pradeep Joshi urged protesting MPs to let the House to operate during Question Hour yet another day of proceedings in the Lok Sabha was postponed.

Announcing that spyware was not a significant issue, the minister said it was regrettable that the Opposition was acting in such a manner.

As Joshi pointed out, the IT-Minister has already made a thorough declaration on the subject in both Houses.

‘There are so many concerns that are directly connected to the Indian people,’ he added.

A few measures were passed by the Lower House this week despite the noise.

Joshi said, “We don’t want to pass laws without debate.”

Amid an uproar, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until today. A half-hour earlier, the House adjourned till noon. Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury tried to address several concerns as soon as the House convened for the day but was denied. On Pegasus spyware and other concerns, opposition members yelled chants and held banners during Question Period.