Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav has launched a fresh attack on the central government's directive mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile phones sold in India. He has equated the move to surveillance practices in North Korea and accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of having a history of 'mukhbiri' (informing).
Political Firestorm Over Sanchar Saathi App
The controversy erupted on Tuesday when Akhilesh Yadav red-flagged the Centre's order to mobile manufacturers. He described the mandatory pre-installation as a clear "attempt to snoop on people." In a sharp rhetorical question, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister asked, "What does the government want to search in phones? Is the government following the path of North Korea's Kim Jong Un?"
On Wednesday, he escalated his criticism. In a statement issued by his party, Yadav asserted, "Those who have a history of operating as 'mukhbirs' (informers) cannot give up snooping." He argued that under the BJP regime, freedoms of speech and expression are already under threat, and this move aims to maintain a "hawk-eye" on private conversations between citizens, their families, friends, and business contacts.
Government's Firm Rebuttal on Cybersecurity Claims
Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, swiftly rubbished the opposition's allegations in Parliament and later to the media. He categorically stated that snooping is not possible with the Sanchar Saathi application.
Scindia defended the app as a crucial cybersecurity tool designed to protect Indian mobile users. He explained its primary functions are to eliminate fake IMEI numbers and help trace lost or stolen phones. Emphasizing user control, the Minister clarified, "It can be deleted by the user or left inactivated." The government's position is that the app is for public safety and security, not surveillance.
Broader Allegations on Electoral Rolls and Privacy
Akhilesh Yadav also linked this issue to a broader pattern of what he calls democratic overreach. He labeled the mandatory app installation a direct infringement of the right to privacy.
Furthermore, he criticized the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The SP chief described it as an attempt to disenfranchise voters, contrary to the constitutional rights granted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. "The responsibility of the ECI is to ensure every Indian can vote. But here the attempt is to cut as many votes as possible," he alleged, claiming lakhs in Bihar had been deprived.
Yadav questioned the haste in completing the SIR, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal where assembly elections are not due this year. This dual-front attack on digital privacy and electoral integrity sets the stage for a continued political confrontation between the opposition and the government.
