Net Neutrality debate: What do Rahul Gandhi and Ravi Shankar Prasad have to say?

With just two days left before **Trai’s deadline for comments** by public on net neutrality runs out, Rahul Gandhi has taken up the cause of net neutrality. The Congress scion has moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha to be taken up on the net neutrality issue. Talking in the parliament, he said one million people are fighting for net neutrality and the govt is trying to carve out the net and hand it over to the corporates. “Please change the law or write a new law on net neutrality, " he said.

Within moments of the speech, #RGforNetNeutrality started trending on Twitter. **In response** , telecom minister said,“Our PM has said that everyone should have access to the internet.” He also said the most popular person on social media in India is our Prime Minister. “Trai can make a recommendation under Trai act but the final decision rests with the government,” he further added. “We would like to know how and why the UPA govt blocked twitter handles,” he questioned. On Times Now, Union telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said government stands for net neutrality and will ensure a non-discriminatory internet is available. “PM Modi himself supports the activism of youth on social media and the internet,” Telecom Minister said. “TRAI’s report will be considered by telecom commission first,” he added. Earlier, Rajya Sabha MP **Rajeev Chandrasekher** had voiced his opinion in support of net neutrality in an open letter sent  to the Union Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad. **DoT** is also believed to be batting for net neutrality, considering the poor internet coverage here. Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you must have at least heard or read the word ‘ **net neutrality** ’ over the last week. That’s the hottest ongoing debate all over the Internet/social media, in India at least. The ongoing net neutrality debate has seen people with extreme views and also some others who believe that India shouldn’t rush into making any decision and weigh the **pros and cons on both sides** before taking a drastic decision. Airtel had created quite a stir with its new **Zero marketing platform** . However, massive outrage forced its partner Flipkart to walk out of Airtel Zero. Soon companies like Cleartrip and NDTV walked out of Facebook’s Internet.org, a platform similar to Airtel Zero. Protesting against the rules which threaten to redefine the Internet, a website called www.savetheinternet.in has been set up where anyone can send a mail directly to Trai, expressing their reluctance and discomfort about how telecom carriers are snatching away free Internet from them.  Those part of India’s startup ecosystem can also sign this letter asking PM Modi to preserve the open, competitive internet by **enforcing net neutrality** . TRAI has already received **over 9 lakh emails** in support of net neutrality**.**