Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri responded sharply to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday, following Gandhi’s remarks and gestures in Parliament during a recent discussion on the Epstein files. In an article titled “Hardeep Puri hits back at Rahul Gandhi’s wink and comment over Epstein files mention,” published by The Economic Times, the exchange between the two political figures underscores escalating tensions within the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Gandhi, speaking during a debate, alluded to recent international reports regarding the unsealing of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, the now-deceased American financier facing accusations of sex trafficking before his death. While addressing the topic, Gandhi appeared to use suggestive gestures and a wink, which drew immediate criticism from the treasury benches. The opposition MP’s apparent insinuation was seen by some in the BJP as an attempt to mock or plant suspicions of Indian political involvement in a deeply sensitive global scandal.
Reacting sternly, Puri condemned Gandhi’s behavior, accusing him of politicizing serious matters with inappropriate theatrics. “When such sensitive issues are discussed, especially of international concern involving trafficking and criminal allegations, it is not just irresponsible but dangerous to indulge in glib remarks or gestures meant only to entertain or provoke,” Puri stated. He also defended the government’s conduct and transparency, asserting that no Indian leaders had been named in any official disclosures related to Epstein’s case.
Puri further suggested that Gandhi was attempting to stir controversy without basis, thereby undermining the decorum of Parliament. He appealed to the Speaker and senior opposition leaders to take notice of what he described as a “pattern of frivolity” in Gandhi’s parliamentary interventions.
The incident comes amid rising political tensions in the lead-up to the general elections, with both ruling and opposition parties often trading barbs on the floor of the House. Gandhi’s remarks, while not naming any Indian individuals, hinted at broader implications, an approach the BJP views as a deliberate tactic to attract attention without evidence.
The resurfacing of the Epstein files—judicial documents made public in a U.S. court—has reignited global conversations around high-profile figures potentially connected to the late financier’s criminal activities. No Indian political figure has been officially named in these documents to date. However, the mere mention of Epstein in Parliament took the debate into controversial terrain, drawing concern from lawmakers across the political spectrum about the direction of discourse in the House.
While the Congress Party has so far refrained from issuing an official clarification, sources from within the opposition maintain that Gandhi’s intent was to highlight global accountability and ensure transparency on issues involving human trafficking networks with a transnational footprint.
As Parliament’s monsoon session progresses, the episode reinforces concerns over deteriorating standards of parliamentary debate and the increasing resort to spectacle over substance in political discourse.
