-
The net neutrality debate is a "trial balloon" floated by the Narendra Modi government to hand over Internet space to corporates, Rahul Gandhi today accused, vowing to oppose. "I want to ask a question. If you (the government) have to protect net neutrality, why did you begin the consultation process? It was a trial balloon. First shoot the trial balloon, see the reaction and if the reaction is strong then do not proceed. That is why we are opposing it tooth and nail so that they withdraw," Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament. (PTI)
-
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, Gandhi said the government “wants to distribute internet among industrialists. Every youth should have access to internet…. This government wants to carve out the internet and hand it over to some corporates.” (PTI)
-
Following up on his accusation, Rahul Gandhi made a demand for an amendment or a new law to ensure net neutrality. (Net neutrality calls for equal treatment to all Internet traffic with no priority given to an entity or company based on payment to service providers such as telecom companies, which is seen as discriminatory. Launched earlier this month, Airtel Zero is an open-marketing platform that allows customers to access certain mobile apps for free with charges being borne by the app makers. Many free Internet advocates and start-ups feel that Airtel’s platform could even “lead to monopolisation by a few and squeeze out the small companies”. Airtel has defended its move saying the initiative would be a ‘win-win’ for customers and marketers alike.) (PTI)
-
Rahul Gandhi linked the issue of net neutrality with NDA’s land acquisition law alleging that after land, the government is now trying to hand over Internet to the industrialists at the cost of youths. “This government, which belongs to the corporates and the industrialists is snatching land from farmers, labourers and tribals. I am fighting for that. Congress is fighting for that." (PTI)
-
“But what is happening is that as land is being snatched, so is Internet. Internet is also being snatched… the idea behind this is hand over the net space to corporates and companies, distribute it among them,” Rahul Gandhi said. (PTI)
-
Making a point that PM Narendra Modi had betrayed the trust of the digitally connected youth, Rahul Gandhi said, “I had thought that since the Internet users, the youths had supported Modiji, he will protect their Internet (rights). Youths will feel its impact. Youths will stand to lose. There will be a blow to the voice that they raise, the expressions that they make”. (PTI)
-
Making a strong pitch for net neutrality, the Congress Vice President said every person should have access to the net. He charged that the government stated in a “circumlocutory” manner that it will protect net neutrality and did not allow him to ask another question, which could have taken just five seconds. (PTI)
-
Rahul Gandhi had earlier begun his speech in the House by making a sarcastic reference to US President Barack Obama’s write-up on Modi in a prominent US magazine. Observing that Obama had written a long piece praising Modi, he said no US President had spoken so highly of an Indian Prime Minister and the praise was similar to the one made by the then US President for the erstwhile USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev, under whom the country had disintegrated. (PTI)
-
Earlier in the day, raising the issue of net neutrality, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had sought suspension of Question Hour in Lok Sabha and gave a notice for an adjournment motion to discuss the matter immediately. (PTI)
-
Stung by this new accusation by Rahul Gandhi, especially as the controversial issue had the entire country worked up in recent days, and to deny any political space on the issue to the Congress VP, the government today rushed to justify its stance saying it is committed to equal access to Internet for all and will ensure its “non-discriminatory availability. As far as the issue of net neutrality is concerned, for Internet expansion in India, the young people of the country have done a commendable job and my government will strive to ensure a non-discriminatory availability of Internet for the people of India, particularly the young people,” Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. “Government wants to assure Parliament… Prime Minister speaks of digital India so that 125 cr people have the internet,” he said. (PTI)
GST 2.0 comes into effect: Royal Enfield Hunter, Bullet, and Classic now cost less than Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
