Rahul Gandhi hails Trai order, wishes users on ‘big win’

Congess vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who had lent his support to Net neutrality, on Monday hailed as a “big win” for Internet users in India the Trai’s decision to bar differential tariff for data access.

His reaction came even as the Congress expressed the hope that the Modi government will continue to listen to the voice of people and take decisions in support of their cause rather than “further the profiteering motives of a few”.

“Congratulations to all those who campaigned tirelessly & fought hard to ensure that our internet remains free &equal for all!”

“Welcome Trai’s ruling in support of #NetNeutrality. Big win for Internet users in India!” said Mr Gandhi on Twitter.

Party’s chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said earlier that the decision, though taken after contradictory posturing on part of the government, vindicates the demands raised consistently and unequivocally by Mr Gandhi as indeed millions of net neutrality supporters across the country.

In a statement, he said the Congress salutes the spirit and resolve of the netizens.

“It proves that determination and grit of 21st century Indians on an idea like ‘free Internet’ founded on core value of ‘freedom’ can win over the interest of big lobbyists and corporations.

“We hope that now the government will look seriously and sincerely into the issue of call drops that is affecting nearly 100 crore mobile phone users across service providers,” he said.

Mr Surjewala expressed the hope that the government will continue to listen to the voice of people and take decisions in support of their cause rather than “further the profiteering motives of a few”.

Mr Gandhi had last week accused the government of delaying a decision on the issue of net neutrality on “pretext” of repeated discussions and took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying his Digital India scheme cannot become a “euphemism” for an Internet controlled by large remote corporations.