Parliament erupts over Epstein links, Puri resignation calls grow
Parliament erupts over Epstein links, Puri resignation calls grow
Opposition pressures rise as calls for Hardeep Singh Puri's resignation intensify amid Epstein files; Parliament adjourns amid expunction row and ongoing Budget session.
The Budget session's Day 12 ended in a ruckus as opposition parties demanded the resignation of Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri after references to him appeared in the Epstein files released in the United States. MPs rushed to the Lok Sabha well with placards, prompting adjournments as the government and opposition sparred over accountability and the contents of the files.
In a separate clash, the Rajya Sabha deliberated over expunction of large portions of a speech by the Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha, during the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address. The chair refused to reinstate the removed passages, sparking criticism that democracy and free speech were at stake. The session witnessed multiple adjournments and the suspension of eight Opposition MPs for unruly conduct.
The government also faced scrutiny over the India-U.S. interim trade deal and references to former Army chief M.M. Naravane's unreleased memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, with the Chair disallowing excerpts.
Puri rejected the Epstein allegations as baseless, calling them “buffoonery” with “entertainment value,” while the opposition pressed for his resignation and broader explanations.
The Budget session is set to resume on March 9 and is scheduled to conclude on April 2, signaling more high-stakes debates as lawmakers navigate a crowded calendar of policy discussions and ethics questions.
