Endorse/sign the petition here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEZGBpdVZ50fg-KIajTo7SOyzqNRqXqmJtv2GwJ7R7_lioHw/viewform?usp=sf_link
We believe that the Pegasus spyware is intended to create a chilling effect on freedom of speech which is a brazen constitutional undercutting. Article 19 of the Indian Constitution is the bedrock of a healthy society – people freely able to speak their mind – even when their opinions might go against the majoritarian view or contrarian to establishment is key to overall progress. The Socialist Party (India) stands by its commitment to protecting free speech from due-process-free government intrusion. It especially is against dragnet surveillance. The use of surveillance technology on any resident by any government authority should pass through case-by-case judicial oversight – securing a magistrate’s warrant every time before deploying to use, and never be used for political reasons. Aggregate numbers under surveillance should be available periodically as parliamentary reports. Queries under Right to Information Act should respond fully to requests for warrants from magistrates once the case is adjudicated or not brought to trial. Use of taxpayer funds should always be transparent and subject to independent audit. We will support laws that allow protection to whistleblowers who expose government overreach.
Socialist Party (India) demands that the Prime Minister Office immediately issue an apology acknowledging its shameful role in recognition of this privacy-abusive and abjectly illegal unconstitutional deployment of surveillance of civil society persons, that the Government of India will identify and issue punitive measures against all government leadership involved in these egregious violations of Indian Telegraph Act, and the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 and commit publicly henceforth to use of solely democratic means including explicitly seeking legislative approval for taxpayer based funding for procurement of such tools, followed by full public and parliamentary debate leading to reform of existing laws leading to lawful targeted surveillance under a judicial warrant.
Endorse/sign the petition here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEZGBpdVZ50fg-KIajTo7SOyzqNRqXqmJtv2GwJ7R7_lioHw/viewform?usp=sf_link
