Raising the issue of net neutrality, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday sought suspension of Question Hour in Lok Sabha and gave a notice for an adjournment motion to discuss the matter immediately. Before entering the Parliament Gandhi said that he will certainly raise the issue on the floor of the House.
Telecom Minister Ravishankar Prasad also came out in support of net neutrality on Wednesday.
Our govt will do everything it can to provide a non-discriminatory internet available for the youth of this country. The Prime Minister is completely for neutrality in the digital space.
– Ravishankar Prasad, Union Telecom Minister
An adjournment motion involves an element of censure against the Government. However, it is up to the Speaker to decide on taking up the motion.
A strong plea was made on Tuesday in the Lower House for ensuring net neutrality with demands that the recent consultation paper brought out by TRAI should be scrapped and attempts by certain telecom and internet service providers be scuttled.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, M B Rajesh (CPI-M) had alleged that the consultation paper brought out by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was “blatantly supporting” an assault on net neutrality by telecom and internet service providers.
Several opposition members wanted to have their say on the issue. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had said a notice should be given for a half-an-hour discussion and she would allow it.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)