Protests outside FCC boss Pai’s home over net neutrality rules

The Chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Ajit V Pai, has come under a blistering attack by several Indian-American lawmakers and activists for his proposal to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality policy. Activists also protested outside Pai's home in Virginia with signs directing at his children, reports PTI.

Pai, 44, blasted the activists for "harassing" his family members, saying they "crossed the line". He is facing backlash from his opponents for his proposal which seeks to reverse the Obama era's net neutrality, which meant that all websites are treated equally by Internet providers. His proposal would end net neutrality and give big Internet providers like NASDAQ-traded Comcast and the NYSE-traded Verizon broad powers to determine what website should reach out to subscribers faster than others.

The activists not only staged a protest outside Pai's home with signs directing at his children, they also reportedly sent pizzas to his home every half-anhour. Some media reports said the frequency was every 15 minutes. This is the first instance of a senior Indian-American administration official – in any presidential administration – being harassed and threatened by opponents. Signboards and placards placed by protestors outside Pai's house in Virginia mocked him for his views. "I understand that people are passionate about policy, but the one thing in America that should remain sacred is that families, wives and kids, should remain out of it. And stop harassing us at our homes," Pai told 'Fox and Friends'. His proposal is scheduled to come out to vote before the FCC on December 14. This is expected to pass as the Republicans have five votes as against three from the Democratic Party. Pai expressed his displeasure when asked about the protest outside his house in Virginia. "It was a little nerve-racking, especially for my wife," he said. "Internet regulation activists have crossed the line by threatening and harassing my family. They should leave my family out of this and focus on debating the merits of the issue," Pai was quoted as saying by The Washington Post. Free Press Action, which has been seeking net neutrality, condemned the personal attack against Pai and his family.

"If you are sending a racist message to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, mocking his name, heritage or family, we do not want you in this new neutrality fight," it said. Pai's controversial proposal triggered a war of words between him and Indian-American lawmakers. "We need stronger net neutrality laws that ban most forms of zero rating instead of weakening these laws!", first-term Congressman from Silicon Valley Ro Khanna tweeted.