Leaders of 19 Opposition parties meet virtually, make 11 demands including SC-monitored probe into use of Pegasus

New Delhi: Leaders of 19 Opposition parties on Friday (August 20, 2021) launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre and made 11 demands including a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the use of the Pegasus spyware.

During a virtual meeting which was attended by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, among other leaders, the opposition parties also said that they will jointly organize protest actions all over the country from September 20 to 30.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, PDP's Mehbooba Mufti and RJD's Tejashwi Yadav also attended the meeting. 

The opposition leaders also called upon the people of India to rise to the occasion to 'defend secular, democratic republican order' with all their might.

"Save India today, so that we can change it for a better tomorrow," the joint statement read.

The opposition parties demanded the following from the Central Government:

Augment COVID-19 vaccine production 

The leaders made a demand to the Centre to marshall and augment all COVID-19 vaccine production capabilities in India, and to procure vaccines globally and speed up the free universal mass vaccination drive immediately. They also asked the Modi government to proceed to vastly expand the public health care system and provide adequate compensation for those who lost their lives due to COVID-19. 

Implement free cash transfers

The opposition leaders demanded that the Central Government must implement free cash transfers of Rs 7,500 per month to all families outside the income tax bracket. They also said that the Centre should distribute free food kits containing all essential commodities of daily consumption to all the needy.

Bring down petrol and diesel prices

They also asked the Centre to withdraw unprecedented hikes in Central Excise duties on petrol and diesel, reduce prices of cooking gas and essential commodities.

Repeal three new agri laws 

The leaders asked the Centre to repeal the three new agri laws and called them 'anti-agriculture laws'. They also demanded to compulsorily guarantee MSP to farmers.

Stop privatisation of public sector

The leaders of 19 opposition parties also asked the Centre to stop and reverse the 'unbridled privatisation' of the public sector. They also demanded to repeal the labour codes, which, they said, dilute the rights of the labour and the working class. They also urged the Modi government to restore the rights of the working people to protest and for wage bargaining.

Implement monetary stimulus packages 

The leaders asked the Centre to implement monetary stimulus packages for the revival of MSMEs and not the provision of loans. "Increase public investments to build our economic and social infrastructure generating jobs and boosting domestic demand. Fill up the vacancies in government jobs," they said.

Enlarge MGNREGA

Sonia Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray, Mamata Banerjee and other leaders also demanded that the Centre should vastly enlarge MGNREGA with an increasing guarantee for 200 days with at least doubling of wages. They said that the Centre should also legislate an urban employment guarantee programme on similar lines.

Prioritise COVID-19 vaccination

The leaders asked the Central Government to prioritise the COVID-19 vaccination of teachers, staff and students to ensure early re-opening of educational institutions.

SC-monitored probe into use of Pegasus and Rafale deal

The opposition parties demanded a Supreme Court-monitored judicial enquiry into the use of Pegasus Spyware for surveillance of people. They also asked for a high-level investigation into the Rafale deal.

Release all political prisoners

They said that the Centre should release all political prisoners, including those under UAPA in the Bhima Koregaon case and anti-CAA protests. "Stop using other draconian laws like sedition/NSA to violate the democratic rights and civil liberties of the people. Release all media personnel detained for exercising their fundamental right of freedom of expression," they said.

Conduct free and fair election in Jammu and Kashmir

The opposition leaders urged the Modi government to release all political prisoners in Jammu and Kashmir and asked to restore full statehood including J&K cadre of central services. "Conduct a free and fair election at the earliest," they said.