Phone tapped, says Mamata, points finger at Centre, ‘2-3 state govts’

“The Constitution gives us freedom, but where is the freedom? We are not even free to talk. Earlier, it was landline phones, then mobile phones, now even WhatsApp is not safe. Someone is not only listening, but also recording... I want the PM to investigate the matter,” Mamata Banerjee said.

On Thursday, The Indian Express had reported that WhatsApp had confirmed that phones of human rights activists and journalists in India had been targeted for surveillance by operators using Pegasus, a spyware developed by Israeli firm NSO Group.

Amidst the row over the alleged surveillance of phones through WhatsApp, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday said her phone was also “tapped” and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to investigate the matter.

“My phone was also tapped and I have said this many times before… I have evidence… This is happening at the behest of the Central government and two-three state governments. I will not name the states but one is a BJP-ruled state. The PM should look into the matter,” she said, speaking to journalists during Chhath Puja celebrations in Kolkata.

“The Constitution gives us freedom, but where is the freedom? We are not even free to talk. Earlier, it was landline phones, then mobile phones, now even WhatsApp is not safe. Someone is not only listening, but also recording. It is a very serious matter. I want the PM to investigate the matter,” Banerjee said.

“Land phone bhi tap hai! Mobile bhi tap hai! To hum kya karega? Leukoplast Laga ke baitha rahega???” 🙄 pic.twitter.com/vUP02xsCCn

— Indrojit | ইন্দ্রজিৎ (@iindrojit) November 2, 2019

Reacting to Banerjee’s statement, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya said, “She should first look into her state. There is no law and order in Bengal. Officers like Rajeev Kumar (former Kolkata police commissioner) has a complete set-up for such surveillance. Police there taps calls of not only Opposition leaders but also those of her own party.”

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