New Delhi/Kolkata: The Centre has authorised 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt all data contained in "any" computer system, a move that set off a political storm on Friday, with the Opposition accusing the Government of trying to create a "surveillance state".
Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted on Friday, "The Home Ministry has authorised 10 central agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource… If it is for National Security, then only for that purpose Centre already has the machinery. But, why all commoners will be affected? Public Opinion please."
Banerjee also rejected Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's claim that the power of surveillance existed during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime. "This notification needs to be withdrawn immediately. We seek public opinion on the Centre's surveillance order," she said while inaugurating the 10-day Christmas Festival at Park Street here.
After initially issuing the order, the Centre issued a fresh clarification Friday evening that such measures will be taken with prior permission of individuals, she said. "I don't understand what they (Centre) want to do, what they want to say. I don't depend on such clarifications without any new circular. We want this notification to be withdrawn forthwith," Banerjee said.
She expressed apprehension that the order can be "purposely, vindictively used against students, individuals as well as against institutions. From the Belur Math to churches, to gurudwara and corporates, it can be applied anywhere". Denying Jaitley's claims that similar notifications were brought 10 years back, Banerjee said, "I have crosschecked. So far, as my understanding goes, in 2009 a notification had referred to special circumstances during sudden outbreak of law and order situations. But this time it is a blanket order."
Banerjee recalled that she had protested using personal details on Aadhaar card and finally the Supreme Court had come up with a privacy order. "What a regime we are living in? Having no freedom and privacy. A regime which is doing whatever it wants," she said.
The Opposition parties led by the Congress slammed the order as unconstitutional, undemocratic and an assault on fundamental rights and an attempt by the BJP government to convert India into a "surveillance state" by resorting to "snooping", inviting a sharp response from the ruling party. See P7