Leaking of information on Balakot strike an act of treason, responsible person must be booked: Congress

Scaling up its attack on the Modi government over Arnab Goswami’s WhatsApp chats with former BARC CEO Partho Dasgupta, the Congress on Wednesday said that leaking of information on the Balakot airstrike amounted to an act of treason.

Fielding Congress leaders and former Union ministers to launch the attack, the Congress demanded that the minister or person responsible for leaking the information must be booked.

Addressing the media at Congress headquarters, former Defence Minister A K Antony said that the content of the chats was a serious issue for the entire nation. “The manner in which they (Goswami and Dasgupta) mentioned the martyrdom of 40 CRPF men too is a serious concern for us,” he added

Antony said that the people of the country and the political parties might have differences on various issues but they are united when it comes to national security cutting across religious and party lines to protect the country.

Saying that the leaking of official information affects the security of armed forces, especially in this case, the former Defence Minister added, “It is very clear that classified documents, that too concerning national security, were available with people who were not authorised to get these documents.”

The Congress said it will raise the issue in Parliament’s forthcoming Budget session.

Antony questioned the silence on part of the government, saying, “Even till today, the government has not said anything on this. I am sure these anti-national activities or leaking of secret military operations was among the four or five civilian people. I do not suspect anybody. But one of them is a suspect. It needs to be enquired immediately on a war footing. And whoever is guilty should be punished for treason.”

Former Union minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said that what Goswami has done is not just shameful for the country but also for journalism.

“The country has seen several wars and the governments of different parties, but such an act of leaking of official secrets was never witnessed,” said Shinde.

Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that they have not manipulated the TRP data but the opinion of the country also.

“A man posing to be a journalist colludes with the high and mighty of the government. He manipulates TRPs and manipulates public opinion for the ruling party. In the process, India and every single Indian lose out on a chance for responsive, clean and progressive governance,” the Congress leader said.

Referring to the leaked chats, former Law Minister Salman Khursheed said that the independence of the judiciary is being compromised. On Jaitley he said the conversation between Arnab and Dasgupta shows “the most inhumane display of insensitivity”.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera asked, “What was the quid pro quo?” Calling Goswami a lobbyist, Khera demanded that the PM should come clean on it and order an inquiry.