'Epstein' chants erupt as Rahul Gandhi attacks Hardeep Puri
What's the story
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has slammed the central government for allowing the United States to dictate India's oil purchase policies. He accused Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri of being "compromised" due to his alleged ties with Jeffrey Epstein. "The foundation of every single nation is its energy security," Gandhi said during his speech.
Supplier sovereignty
'Our relationship with oil suppliers can be decided by us'
Gandhi questioned why India, a country of its size, would allow another nation to decide on its oil suppliers. "I do not say this lightly, but allowing the US to decide who we buy oil, gas from... whether we buy oil from Russia or not, whether our relationship with different oil suppliers can be decided by us, this is what has been bartered," the Congress leader said.
Answer
Puri is compromised, says Gandhi
He said he has been trying to figure out that puzzle. "I have figured the puzzle out. The puzzle is about compromise. We have a gentleman sitting here who is the oil minister (Hardeep Puri), he himself has said that he is a friend of Mr Epstein," Gandhi said. Chants of "Epstein" can be heard in the background. "I have a document which shows his (Puri's) daugther has received money from George Soros," he continued.
Twitter Post
Watch the video here
#WATCH | Delhi | Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "I have figured the puzzle out and the puzzle is about compromise. We have a gentleman sitting here who is the oil minister. He himself has said that he is a friend of Mr Epstein..."
— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2026
(Source: Sansad TV) pic.twitter.com/ga390vIHTy
Parliamentary disruption
Puri responds
Gandhi's claims evoked an uproar from the treasury benches, prompting Speaker Birla to ask Gandhi to speak on the notice he had given. Responding to Gandhi, Puri said this is not the moment for rumor-mongering or fake narratives. He said the world has not faced a moment like this in modern energy history. but that India's crude supply position is secure, and the volume secured exceeds what the Hormuz would have delivered due to the Prime Minister's "outstanding diplomatic outreach."