Parliament – Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were briefly halted on Friday as Opposition members continued their protest, demanding accountability from Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri over alleged links revealed in recently disclosed US court documents.
The lower house was adjourned until noon on the concluding day of the first leg of the Budget Session. Opposition MPs gathered inside the Parliament complex, raising slogans and calling for Puri’s resignation. Their protest followed reports emerging from the United States concerning the release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Members from several Opposition parties argued that references to email exchanges involving Puri in the disclosures warranted a detailed clarification. They maintained that the minister should step aside until the matter is fully addressed. The protests quickly spilled into the House, leading to disruptions that forced the adjournment.
Earlier in the week, Puri had strongly dismissed suggestions of wrongdoing. He accused senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of making insinuations without evidence. The minister acknowledged that he had met Epstein on a limited number of occasions but insisted that those interactions were unrelated to the criminal activities for which Epstein was convicted in the United States.
Puri stated that any attempt to connect him to Epstein’s crimes was unfounded. He emphasized that professional or social interactions in international diplomatic circles should not be misrepresented as complicity in illegal acts.
The controversy added to the charged atmosphere in the House. During the session, a substantive motion was introduced by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey targeting Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The motion triggered sharp reactions from Congress members, who accused the ruling party of diverting attention from the central issue raised by the Opposition.
Parliamentary proceedings remained tense as both sides exchanged accusations. Treasury benches criticized the Opposition for disrupting the House on the final day of the session phase, while Opposition leaders defended their stance, saying accountability from ministers is a fundamental parliamentary principle.
Amid the heated exchanges, the House paused to observe a minute of silence in memory of former Haridwar MP Bhagwandas Rathore, who recently passed away. Members across party lines stood in respect, briefly setting aside political differences to honor his contribution to public life.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party, MP Hibi Eden said the party would not be deterred by what he described as attempts to intimidate the Opposition. He asserted that Congress would continue to press issues concerning farmers’ welfare and India’s ongoing trade negotiations.
Eden specifically mentioned discussions surrounding the proposed India–US trade deal, saying the party would seek transparency and clarity on matters affecting domestic industries and agricultural interests. He reiterated that raising such concerns was part of the Opposition’s responsibility in a parliamentary democracy.
As the first phase of the Budget Session concluded, it became evident that the controversy surrounding the minister and the broader political confrontation may continue to shape debates when Parliament reconvenes.
