Misconception about the right to Internet being a fundamental right needs to be cleared, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, emphasising that the country’s security was equally important.

Communications, Information Technology Minister Prasad during the Question Hour said communication of ideas and views through Internet were part of fundamental right to speech and expressions.

“The Supreme Court has clearly stated that no lawyer argued that right to Internet is a fundamental right. This kind of misconception needs to be corrected. What the SC has stated is that for communication of your ideas and views the use of Internet will also to be held a part of your fundamental right of speech and expression,” Prasad said in reply to a query.

Prasad said no one could deny abuse of Internet for spreading violence and terrorism, and Pakistan had been doing it in Kashmir and ISIS prospered because of Internet.