Statement issued on August 4, 2021

The opposition Parties stand firm and united in their demand for a discussion on Pegasus issue in both the Houses, replied to by the Home-Minister, as this has national security dimensions.

The opposition has also unequivocally conveyed that the discussion on the farmers’ issues and agitations arising from the three anti-farmers and black Agri-laws should follow the discussion on Pegasus. It is unfortunate that the government has unleashed misleading campaign to malign the combined opposition and blaming it for the continued disruption in the Parliament. The responsibility for the deadlock lies squarely at the doorsteps of the government, which remains arrogant and obdurate and refuses to accept the opposition’s demand for an informed debate in both the houses.

The opposition once again urges the government to respect parliamentary democracy and accept the discussions. Statement by: Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition, Rajya Sabha; Shri Sharad Pawar, NCP; Shri T R Balu, DMK; Shri Anand Sharma, INC; Shri Ramgopal Yadav, SP; Shri Derek O’ Brien, TMC; Shri Sanjay Raut, SS; Shri Kalyan Banerjee, TMC; Shri Vinayak Raut, SS; Shri Tiruchi Siva, DMK; Shri Manoj Jha, RJD; Shri Elamaram Kareem, CPI(M); Shri Sushil Gupta, AAP; Shri ET Mohd. Basheer, IUML; Shri Hasnain Masoodi, NC; Shri Binoy Viswam, CPI; Shri NK Premachandran, RSP; Shri MV Shreyams Kumar, LJD.