Farmers' stir: Reliance Jio slams rivals for 'inciting public' against network; Airtel, Vodafone Idea refute charges

Reliance Jio alleged that the campaign is not limited to northern states and false propaganda is being spread across the country

Fresh war of words broke between Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) on Monday with Jio alleging that rivals 'incited' public by portraying it anti-farmer.

Telecom operator Reliance Jio has alleged that Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) are running "vicious and divisive campaign" against it, making claims that migrating Jio mobile numbers to their networks would be an act of support to farmers protests.

Dismissing charges, both Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have termed the complaint as "baseless" and refuted the charges.

Thousands of farmers, mainly from Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, are protesting at various border points of Delhi against the new farm laws enacted in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.

Jio in its letter to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has sought strict action against the two companies and said that such acts of the rival companies can jeopardise safety and security of Jio''s employees.

"We submit that Airtel and VIL remain unabated in pursuing this vicious and divisive campaign through its employees, agents and retailers. They are inciting the public by making preposterous claims that migrating Jio mobile subscribers to their networks would be an act of support to farmers' protests," Jio said in its letter to TRAI.

Bharti Airtel in a letter to Trai said, "We wish to emphatically deny this baseless charge...Despite being provoked by some competitors who we know will go to any length to make baseless allegations, adopt bullying tactics and use intimidatory behaviour, we have always conducted our business with character and transparency, something that we are deeply proud of and known for."

Terming these allegations are baseless, Vodafone Idea spokesperson said the company believes in doing business with ethics.

Reliance Jio alleged that the campaign is not limited to northern states and the "false propaganda" is being spread across the country to acquire customers through Mobile Number Portability (MNP).