'Listen to us': Opposition tells govt as it releases video of members speaking on Pegasus, farmers

The oppositions strategy of speaking on the Pegasus snooping row and farm laws during discussions of bills in the Rajya Sabha has now been compiled in a threeminute video in an attempt to make the government listen to their demands leaders said on SundayThe video released by the TMC on Sunday morning from RS MP Derek OBriens handle urges Mr Modi come listen to usldquoMr Modi Come listen to usrdquo Parliament httpstcof3CaolIbSUmdash Derek OBrien derekobrienmp August 8 2021Opposition party sources indicated that over the last few weeks leaders have realised that the disruptions by them in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are not enough It was important to say the words farmers Pegasus and spyware on the floor of the HousesAsked about the opposition MPs strategy of raising such issues while seeking to speak on bills in Parliament OBrien said that their strategy was deliberateWhen the official channels are being denied this is a new way to reach the masses said OBrien who is also the leader of the TMC in the Rajya SabhaPM narendramodi seems to have lost his nerves Why is he not keen on answering questions in Parliament The opposition parties are ready for discussions in Parliament but BJP4India govt is stalling the proceedings so that the truth doesnt get to the people Congresss Mallikarjun Kharge said in a tweet posting the videoThe video which has been compiled using clips from RSTV comprises statements made by the opposition MPs in the Upper House with the words farmer and Pegasus in the opening linesYou are not allowing the discussion we have been asking for the past 14 days and the discussions we can do later You are passing that bill now If you have courage begin the discussions on Pegasus now Kharge is heard saying in the video on the floor of the HouseThe compilation includes opposition speakers like Vandana Chavan of the NCP who raised the Pegasus issue accusing the government of not listening to the peopleRJDs Manoj Jha too is seen speaking on the spyware issue Pegasus has reached everyones house We have to discuss this says JhaCongresss Deepinder Hooda raised the issue of farmers stating that he would talk about the matter if his microphone is not switched off The CPIM accused the government of stealing parliamentary democracy while TMCs Sukhendu Shekar Roy raised the issue of freedom of speech in ParliamentThe other parties which have representation in the video include Samajwadi Party TRS DMK and AAPOne of the leaders in the video Shiv Sena MP in Rajya Sabha Priyanka Chaturvedi said in a democracy if the government of the day has a responsibility so does the oppositionWhether it is about farmers about the economy safety and security of women just the word mentioned by the opposition makes them silence our voices makes them adjourn Parliament makes them mute our microphonesOur inability to be heard by a government which is so brazen has made us realise that the only way we can speak and make our point heard is when such bills are being discussed and passed in such a hurry Chaturvedi saidCPIM leader and RS MP Elamaram Kareem said that speaking during the discussion on bills was the only way to make the government listenThis tactic is going to be continued the coming week as well There is no other option as the government is not admitting our motions Everyone is seeing how the chairperson is behaving switching off microphones even as the Pegasus word is being uttered The entireopposition is one on this and we will stick by it till the government relents said Kareem who is the leader of his party in the Upper HouseChaturvedi also hit out at the government over the alleged switching off of microphones when opposition leaders raise certain issues saying it shows the intolerance of the governmentBy muting our mics by trying to suppress our voices they think they can silence us then they should be rest assured that we will raise our voice further and our voices will get louder the Shiv Sena MP saidSenior Congress leader and party spokesperson Manish Tewari said that what is happening in the House is a complete murder of democracyThe institution of Parliament is being trifled with by the NDABJP government said Tewari slamming the government for getting bills passed when the House is not in orderThere is a time honoured convention that a legislation is never passed in din and it is not even discussed when the House is not in order he saidSince the start of the Monsoon Session on July 19 parliamentary proceedings have been continuously witnessing disruptions due to protests by opposition parties and a logjam has persisted over their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus snooping rowThe opposition has also been strongly protesting against the price rise issue and demanding the repeal of the farm lawsAn international media consortium had reported that over 300 verified Indian mobile phone numbers including that of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Union ministers Prahlad Singh Patel and Ashwini Vaishnaw businessman Anil Ambani and at least 40 journalists were on the list of potential targets for surveillance using Israeli firm NSO Groups Pegasus spywareThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever