Taking up the net neutrality issue, Rahul Gandhi today launched yet another fusillade in Parliament accusing the Modi government of trying to handover internet space to some corporate groups, drawing an instant repost that the UPA regime was full of scams and curbs on net.
After his salvos at the government over the land bill and farmers issues, Gandhi made his second speech in three days in the Lok Sabha demanding a new law to ensure equal access to all especially the youths, to the internet.
Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad took the floor immediately after Rahul's attack to counter his criticism. He said the BJP government stood for Digital India and internet was available to people in a non-discriminatory manner.
Gandhi, who had given notice for suspension of Question Hour to take up an adjournment motion on the issue, however, raised the issue only during the zero hour.
"This government wants to carve out the internet and hand it over to some corporates....The government wants to distribute internet among industrialists. Every youth should have access to internet," he said to the thumping of desks by his party members.
Gandhi's attack comes on top of his Monday speech in which he repeatedly took jibes at the government calling it "suit-boot ki sarkar" which was pro-industrialists and anti-farmers.
Outside the House, he said the net neutrality debate is a trial balloon floated by the government to handover internet space to corporates which he vowed to oppose tooth and nail.
"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 float 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," he told reporters.
