The Indian National Congress has called upon the central government to provide a clear explanation following the emergence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name in documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. The party insists that the government must address the matter publicly to ensure transparency.
Congress Leader Issues Direct Challenge
Senior Congress figure Prithviraj Chavan spearheaded the demand for clarity. He addressed the media in his hometown of Karad, located in Maharashtra's Satara district. Chavan stated that the recent disclosures necessitate an immediate and unambiguous clarification from the ruling administration. He emphasized that the public has a right to know the context and veracity of any such references.
Timing and Source of the Disclosure
The controversy stems from the latest batch of court documents related to the Epstein case that were made public. While the full context of the mention remains unclear, the mere appearance of the Indian Prime Minister's name in the files has sparked significant political debate. The Congress party's query was formally raised on 20 December 2025, as reported by journalist Mrityunjay Bose.
Political Repercussions and Next Steps
This development has quickly become a point of contention in the national political arena. The opposition is leveraging it to question the government's commitment to accountability. The Congress's move is seen as an effort to put the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the defensive, demanding they "come clean" on the issue. As of now, the central government has not issued an official statement in response to the Congress's demand. The political discourse is expected to intensify as both sides position themselves regarding this sensitive revelation.
The demand from the Congress underscores the ongoing tussle between the government and the opposition, where international matters are increasingly influencing domestic political narratives. All eyes are now on the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of External Affairs for their official response.
