Congress Sharpens Attack on Union Minister Over Epstein Remarks
The Congress party has significantly intensified its political assault on Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri regarding his acknowledged connections with the infamous financier Jeffrey Epstein. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera launched a detailed critique, posing six specific questions that challenge the minister's characterization of these interactions as merely professional.
Escalation Following Parliamentary Exchange
The controversy escalated dramatically after Minister Puri responded to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's allegations. Puri confirmed he had met Epstein "three or four times" over an eight-year period in what he described as a strictly "professional capacity." He asserted that all relevant details were already public following the release of approximately three million emails by authorities.
Congress Raises Six Critical Questions
Pawan Khera referenced a specific email exchange dated October 4, 2014, which forms part of documents released by the US Department of Justice. According to Khera's social media post, Epstein emailed Puri asking, "Did Reid meeting happen?" to which Puri reportedly replied within hours, "I am in SF for meeting this afternoon. You, my friend, make things happen. Any advice?" Epstein then allegedly suggested Puri should offer to organize Reid Hoffman's trip to India.
Based on this exchange, Khera posed six pointed questions:
- How did Epstein possess prior knowledge about Hardeep's meeting with Reid Hoffman before it occurred?
- Was Epstein actually the "contact" responsible for arranging the meeting with Reid Hoffman?
- Why was Hardeep discussing meeting details with Epstein at all?
- Why did Hardeep address Epstein as a 'friend' in their correspondence?
- What exactly was Epstein "making happen" for Hardeep?
- Why would Hardeep seek 'advice' from Epstein if their association was truly incidental or superficial?
Allegations of Trivializing Serious Crimes
In a separate social media post, Khera accused Minister Puri of attempting to minimize the gravity of Epstein's criminal convictions. He strongly objected to Puri's characterization of Epstein's 2008 guilty plea as "soliciting favours of a woman who was underage." Khera emphasized that an "underage woman" is legally a minor child, and reducing sexual exploitation of a child to such casual language was deeply troubling.
"Epstein didn't just face rumors," Khera wrote. "He pleaded guilty in a Florida court and was convicted. The crime was established in law. Yet you say 'many of you had doubts.' Doubts about what - his own confession?"
Strong Condemnation of Minister's Remarks
The Congress leader expressed profound concern about what he described as a Union Minister speaking about sexual crimes against minors with apparent casual detachment. "Public office demands moral clarity, not minimization of abuse," Khera asserted. "Do us a favor, keep this monstrosity at home, and don't ever come out justifying crimes against women and children like this!"
Minister's Defense and Counterattack
At a press conference held at BJP headquarters, Minister Puri defended his position vigorously, accusing Rahul Gandhi of making "baseless allegations" and suggesting his parliamentary remarks contained "elements of buffoonery" and "entertainment value."
Clarifying his stance, Puri stated, "There are references to possibly three or four meetings in eight years... Any contact I had with him has no connection to the serious allegations of sexual abuse filed by victims." He emphasized that his interactions were exclusively related to his diplomatic work as India's Ambassador to the United Nations and subsequent engagements with the International Peace Institute.
Origins of the Political Controversy
The political firestorm originated when Rahul Gandhi claimed to possess "verified information" and alleged that "there are Department of Justice files on Epstein naming Hardeep Puri." This exchange has triggered a sharp and ongoing political confrontation between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party, with both sides digging in their positions as the controversy continues to unfold.
