Can you trust NYT, asks minister as opposition targets govt over Pegasus report

A New York Times report, which claimed that India bought the Pegasus spyware from Israel in 2017 as part of a deal, has triggered a war of words. While the opposition accused the BJP of deceiving parliament, Union minister Gen V K Singh called the paper “Supari media”.

Last year, an international consortium of media organisations had reported on how the Pegasus spyware had been used to potentially target journalists, activists and politicians in India. However, in August, following widespread outrage, in response to questions raised in the Rajya Sabha, the government had said that the “ministry of defence has not had any transaction" with the Israel-based NSO Group.

The NYT investigation comes just two days before the upcoming Budget session of Parliament. The issue had rocked House sessions last year as opposition parties demanded a discussion.

Meanwhile, a government source told PTI that a committee set up under the supervision of retired Supreme Court judge R V Raveendran has already been looking into the matter. “The committee’s report (is) awaited,” the source said.

Union Minister Gen V K Singh called NYT “Supari media” while reacting to the report on Twitter. “Can you trust NYT?”

Speaking at a press conference, Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, said, “Parliament was deceived by the Modi government. It is clear that the Supreme Court was also duped by the Modi government. It is also clear that the people of India were lied to by the Modi government and its ministers.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted about the matter. “Modi Government bought Pegasus to spy on our primary democratic institutions, politicians and public. Govt functionaries, opposition leaders, armed forces, judiciary all were targeted by these phone tappings. This is treason. The Modi Government has committed treason.”

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said, "Spying on the Election Commission, political leaders, Supreme Court and Officers conducting sensitive investigations is a serious subversion of democracy. Unacceptable. This govt must go."