'Please Change the Law or Write a New Law on Net Neutrality,' Rahul Gandhi Tells Government in Lok Sabha

New Delhi: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi today addressed the Lok Sabha today on the issue of net neutrality. His comments drew a strong response from Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Here are the highlights of Rahul Gandhi's speech:

• I want to talk about the Prime Minister again. (In response to protests from ruling party lawmakers) You will like what I'm about to say. I want to praise 'nation's PM' again, not yours, but nation's PM for the Time magazine article by US President Barack Obama praising him.
• He is probably the first leader in years, apart from (Mikhail) Gorbachev who has received such praise.
• I want to speak on net neutrality.
• This government wants to distribute the internet among big industrialists.
• Over 1 million people are fighting for net neutrality and the government is trying to carve out the net and hand it over to the corporates.

Here is what Ravi Shankar Prasad said in response:

• We want to tell the House that our government supports the right to the internet.
• We want to make it clear that this government has never been under pressure from any corporate, and that we will never be under such pressure.
• The Prime Minister has said that everyone should have access to the internet.
• TRAI can make a recommendation under the TRAI Act. But, the final decision rests with the government.
• Today, Rahul Gandhi speaks about net neutrality. But we would like to know how and why the UPA government blocked Twitter handles.
• In the world of social media, our Prime Minister is very respected.