Watch: Slugfest over Pegasus spyware reaches crescendo

On the first day of the Monsoon Session, the Pegasus spyware issue dominated the proceedings. By the evening, the issue reached a crescendo as both Congress and BJP were embroiled in a war of words over the issue.

Hyderabad: On the first day of the Monsoon Session, the Pegasus spyware issue dominated the proceedings. Newly appointed IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made a statement on the floor of the parliament and cited that any form of illegal surveillance isn't possible with checks and balances in our laws and robust institutions. He added that requests for lawful interception of electronic communication are carried out for the purpose of national security are carried out under provisions of Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and Section 69 of Information Technology Act, 2000.

However, by the evening, the issue reached a crescendo following the press conference by the Indian National Congress, where Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, Rajya Sabha MP Mallikarjun Kharge, and Lok Sabha MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The three Congress leaders have alleged that the Modi government is responsible for the Pegasus spyware which has been accused of illegal hacking and snooping on Union Cabinet Ministers, intelligence, defence and institution heads, political leaders, journalists, media houses, and rights activists.

Congress has demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee investigation and the immediate resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah. Meanwhile, BJP countered the allegations with their own press conference. Former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has slammed the Congress party for levelling baseless allegations, calling it a new low in Indian politics.

Prasad said, "The BJP strongly refutes and condemns the baseless and bereft of political propriety comments levelled by Congress against the BJP. This is a new low in the political discourse of a party that has ruled India for over 50 years."

He added, "Our IT Minister confirmed today that for lawful interceptions of electronic communication can only be made as per relevant rules under provisions of Sec 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 & Sec 69 of Information Technology Act 2000. Any form of illegal surveillance isn't possible with checks & balances in our laws & robust institutions".