Congress Launches Fierce Attack on Government Over Hardeep Puri's Alleged Epstein Connection

Congress Criticizes Government's Silence

New Delhi: On Wednesday, the Congress party launched a vigorous critique of the government following the emergence of a purported image showing Union Minister Hardeep Puri alongside convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The party accused Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah of remaining silent, suggesting their indifference to serious allegations.

The Congress has been calling for Puri's resignation since earlier this year, citing his name in the Epstein files released in the United States. Puri has consistently denied the accusations made against him by the opposition.

An undated photograph, allegedly depicting Puri with Epstein, has circulated widely, reportedly released by the US Department of Justice.

K C Venugopal, Congress's general secretary in charge of organization, shared the image, criticizing Modi for his inaction despite being aware of Puri's connections to Epstein, a known international pedophile. Venugopal expressed disgust over the revelations, indicating that Puri met Epstein in locations associated with Epstein's criminal activities.

Venugopal stated, "The silence and inaction from Modi and Shah highlight their criminal indifference towards allegations against their cabinet minister." He questioned what women could expect from a government that protects individuals with ties to notorious sexual predators.

He also emphasized the need for PM Modi to address the issue, especially as US President Donald Trump has indicated that India and the US are close to finalizing a trade agreement. Venugopal raised concerns about whether these revelations could impact the deal.

Pawan Khera, head of the Congress media and publicity department, criticized the government, asserting that Puri's solo photograph with Epstein undermines his defense that he only met the infamous trafficker as part of a delegation.

Khera pointed out that while Puri claims to have had only a few meetings and emails over eight years, the Epstein files reveal at least 62 emails exchanged between them from 2014 to 2017, along with 14 meetings, many of which were one-on-one.

He questioned whether Puri would stop misleading the public and clarify the true nature of his interactions with Epstein, asking what the purpose of their meetings was.

Khera urged the Indian government to demonstrate moral courage by investigating the involvement of its Union Minister with a convicted child sex trafficker.

Supriya Shrinate, Congress's social media head, shared the image, questioning Puri's previous claims of never having met Epstein alone and criticizing Modi's choice of associates.

Srinivas BV, chief of Congress's Seva Dal, condemned the government, stating that in any other democracy, such a scandal would have led to resignations, but not in the case of the BJP.

Earlier this year, Puri had rebuffed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's insinuations, asserting that his meetings with Epstein were unrelated to the crimes committed by the convicted offender.