New Delhi – In a heated speech at a Youth Congress protest in New Delhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made strong accusations against the government. He claimed that Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and businessman Anil Ambani are named in files related to the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein. Gandhi also pointed fingers at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying there is heavy pressure on him that has led to a bad trade deal with the US. This deal, he said, hurts Indian farmers and the textile industry. He also talked about the government’s silence on a US case against Gautam Adani. These claims have sparked a big political fight, with protests and demands for Puri’s resignation. The opposition says this shows how the government is weak under outside pressure. But the ruling party calls these claims false and silly. This story has grabbed headlines across India, as people want to know if there is any truth to it.
The protest happened outside Parliament, where young Congress workers shouted slogans against the government. They held signs asking for Puri to step down. Gandhi spoke to the crowd and later to reporters. He said he has checked facts and knows that the US Department of Justice files on Epstein mention Puri and Ambani. “I have said that I will authenticate the data I have. There are Department of Justice files on Epstein naming Hardeep Puri and Anil Ambani,” Gandhi told reporters. He asked why Ambani has not been put in jail if his name is in those files. He also wondered why the government is linking things that do not match. Gandhi linked this to bigger issues, like how the government handles deals with other countries.
What Rahul Gandhi Said in His Speech
Rahul Gandhi did not hold back in his speech. He said the India-US trade deal is like giving away India’s future. He claimed it puts jobs for young people at risk, makes it hard for farmers to sell their crops, and gives away control over energy to foreign hands. “India-US Trade Deal has mortgaged the future of 140 crore Indians. Youths’ jobs are at stake, farmers’ crops are on the negotiating table, and energy security is being surrendered to the terms of a foreign country,” Gandhi posted on X (formerly Twitter). He added that no Prime Minister would agree to such a deal without strong pressure. He hinted that this pressure comes from the Epstein files or the Adani case in the US. “No Prime Minister surrenders like this without massive pressure. India understands – this deal is not one of equals, it is one of compulsion. Whether from the Epstein files or the Adani Case – Modi ji has sacrificed national interest in his bid to save power,” he said.
Gandhi also brought up the case against Gautam Adani in the US. He said summons have been sent, but the Indian government has not replied for 18 months. He called this a sign of fear or favor. “There is direct pressure on PM Modi. Without any pressure, no prime minister of India would ever compromise on matters concerning the country’s farmers, data, energy security, and defence. No one would do this unless there is heavy pressure and a very chokehold over them,” Gandhi said to reporters outside Parliament. His words fired up the crowd, who chanted against Modi and the BJP. The protest was part of a bigger push by the Indian Youth Congress to highlight what they call the government’s failures.
Hardeep Singh Puri’s Strong Reply
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri quickly hit back at Rahul Gandhi’s claims. He called them baseless and full of silly things. In a press meet, Puri said he met Jeffrey Epstein only three or four times between 2009 and 2017. This was when he was India’s Ambassador to the UN in New York. He said these meetings were part of his work with the International Peace Institute (IPI) and the Independent Commission on Multilateralism. “I was not part of the IPI per se. I was secretary general of the Independent Commission (ICM) on Multilateralism, set up in the IPI as a project,” Puri explained. He added that his boss at the time, Terje Rod-Larsen, knew Epstein, and the meetings were with a group, not alone.
Puri made it clear that these talks had nothing to do with Epstein’s crimes. “My interactions with Jeffrey Epstein had nothing to do with charges against him,” he said. He pointed out that over three million emails from the Epstein files cover that time, but his name comes up only a few times. He took a dig at Gandhi, saying, “Epstein Files, the Yuva Neta should know, are about wrongdoing, criminal offences. I am choosing my words carefully, elements of buffoonery. I did not call him (Rahul Gandhi) a buffoon; I said elements of buffoonery.” Puri also called Gandhi’s speech in Lok Sabha funny but not serious. “Rahul Gandhi made an ass of himself,” he said in another talk. He dismissed the idea that his name in the files forced any bad deal with the US.
Youth Congress Leads the Charge with Protests
The Indian Youth Congress took to the streets after Gandhi’s speech. On February 13, 2026, opposition MPs joined them outside Parliament’s Makar Dwar. They demanded that Puri resign because of his alleged links to Epstein. Photos showed workers holding banners that said “Resign Puri” and “Save India from Compromise.” One leader from the Youth Congress said, “If a minister’s name is in such files, how can he stay in office? This is about trust.” The protest lasted for hours, with speeches against the government. They said this shows how the BJP is soft on big businessmen like Ambani and Adani.
Rahul Gandhi’s words gave fuel to these protests. He has been leading the opposition’s attack on the government for months. His Bharat Jodo Yatra and other events have made him popular among young voters. The Youth Congress sees this as a chance to rally more people against what they call Modi’s weak leadership. “We will not stop until the truth comes out,” said a protester. The government, however, says these are just tricks to divert attention from real issues like the economy.
Criticism of the US-India Trade Deal
At the heart of Gandhi’s speech was the new trade deal between India and the US. He said it harms small farmers and the textile sector. Farmers might face cheap imports that make it hard to sell their goods. The textile industry, which gives jobs to millions, could lose out to foreign companies. Gandhi called it a deal made under pressure. He linked it to the Epstein files and the Adani case. “The camel is somewhere, and the dog is barking in another city. What are you linking to what?” he said, mocking the government’s defense.
Experts say the deal cuts tariffs on some goods but opens India to more US products. This could help big companies but hurt local ones. A farmer from Punjab told a news channel, “We already struggle with prices. If more cheap stuff comes in, what will we do?” The government says the deal will bring more investment and jobs. But opposition parties say it was signed in a hurry without thinking about people. Gandhi’s post on X got thousands of likes and shares, showing many agree with him.
The Gautam Adani Case and Government Silence
Rahul Gandhi also slammed the government for not acting on the US case against Gautam Adani. He said the US has issued summons, but India has ignored them for 18 months. Adani faces charges in a bribery case there. Gandhi asked why no action here. “Why is Anil Ambani not in jail?” he repeated. He said this shows favoritism to rich friends of the government.
The Adani Group has denied wrongdoing. They say it’s a false case. But the opposition wants a probe in India too. “If the US is looking into it, why not us?” asked a Congress MP. The government says it’s a matter for courts abroad. But critics say Modi is protecting Adani because of close ties. This adds to the pressure on the BJP, as more details come out.
What Are the Epstein Files?
Jeffrey Epstein was a rich American who died in jail in 2019. He faced charges of sex crimes and trafficking. After his death, US courts released thousands of files with names of people who knew him. These include emails, calls, and meetings. Not all names mean guilt; some were just contacts. But the files have shocked the world, naming big names like politicians and businessmen.
In India, the files mentioned Puri and Ambani. Ambani’s emails talked about business. Puri’s were about UN work. The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed some parts as “trashy ruminations” of a criminal. They said a mention of Modi’s 2017 Israel visit was false. But Gandhi says it’s proof of pressure.
Opposition Demands Action
Opposition parties have united on this. They want Puri to quit and a full probe. “This is about national security,” said a Trinamool Congress leader. In Parliament, there were shouts and walks out. But no motion for breach of privilege against Gandhi passed. The BJP says Gandhi is making up stories for votes. “He should read more before speaking,” Puri joked.
Anil Ambani has not spoken yet. His team says the mentions are old and mean nothing. But social media is full of talks. One user posted, “Why no action on Ambani if name in files?” Another said, “This is just politics.”
Impact on India-US Ties
The claims could hurt India-US relations. The trade deal was seen as a win for both. But if people think it was forced, it looks bad. US officials have not commented. Experts say India needs strong ties with the US for growth. But domestic politics can make it tough. “Modi must clear the air,” said a political expert.
The story is still unfolding. More files might come out. For now, it’s a big debate in India.
FAQs
What did Rahul Gandhi say about the Epstein files?
Rahul Gandhi said he has real proof that Hardeep Singh Puri and Anil Ambani are named in US files on Jeffrey Epstein. He spoke about this in Lok Sabha and to reporters on February 11, 2026. He asked why no action against them. He also said this puts pressure on PM Modi, leading to a bad trade deal with the US. He claimed the deal hurts farmers, jobs, and energy security. He linked it to the Adani case too, saying the government ignores US summons.
Who is Jeffrey Epstein and why are his files important?
Jeffrey Epstein was an American money man who was arrested for sex crimes in 2019. He died in jail. US courts released his files with emails and names of people he knew. These files show links but not always guilt. Names like Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew came up. In India, Puri and Ambani’s names appeared in some emails. Puri says it was work-related. The files are big news because they show how powerful people connect.
What is Hardeep Singh Puri’s side of the story?
Puri said he met Epstein only 3-4 times from 2009 to 2017 as part of UN work. He was in a group, not alone. He said it had nothing to do with Epstein’s crimes. He called Gandhi’s claims silly and for laughs. “Elements of buffoonery,” he said. He held a press meet to explain and said all facts are public.
How does this link to the US-India trade deal?
Gandhi said the deal was made under pressure from the Epstein files or Adani case. He claimed it gives too much to the US, hurting Indian farmers and textiles. The government says it’s good for growth. But Gandhi called it a surrender.
What about Gautam Adani in all this?
Gandhi said the US has a case against Adani for bribery. Summons sent 18 months ago, but India silent. He asked why no probe here. Adani denies it. Opposition says it’s favoritism.
Did Narendra Modi’s name appear in the Epstein files?
No direct mention of Modi in the files from what is known. But Gandhi said pressure on Modi comes from these links. The MEA dismissed a small reference to Modi’s Israel visit as fake.