Headline:Rahul Gandhi Hits Back at PM Modi, Calls Alleged Links in ‘Epstein Files’ a Matter of Shame

In a sharp political rebuttal, former Congress president and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of deflecting attention from serious issues by branding opposition protests as “shameful.”

Responding to the Prime Minister’s remarks at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, Gandhi released a video statement on Monday, asserting, “Prime Minister, you speak of shame. Let me tell you what is truly shameful.” He alleged that references to the Prime Minister, his ministers, and close associates in the so-called “Epstein files” constitute a matter of grave concern. “Being associated in any manner with such a heinous criminal is a shameful matter,” Gandhi said.

Questioning Government Priorities

Gandhi further argued that democratic protests should not be labeled as disgraceful. Instead, he claimed that what deserves scrutiny is the government’s trade engagement with the United States. He alleged that the recently discussed trade agreement compromises India’s economic interests and data sovereignty.

“It is shameful to hand over the nation’s data and weaken farmers and the textile industry,” Gandhi said, accusing the government of undermining domestic sectors through international agreements.

He also questioned why, in his words, the Prime Minister appears “afraid of non-violence and democratic dissent,” emphasizing that peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of democracy.

Adani Issue Raised

The Congress leader additionally referred to ongoing legal proceedings in the United States involving industrialist Gautam Adani, alleging that no substantial action has been taken for over 14 months. Gandhi linked the matter to what he described as the BJP’s “financial architecture,” raising questions about transparency and accountability.

Reaffirming his party’s stance, Gandhi declared that Congress workers would continue to defend democratic values and national interests without retreat. “We will not step back an inch,” he asserted.

Context of the Exchange

The political exchange follows remarks made by Prime Minister Modi at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi, where he criticized the Congress party for staging protests during a global event. He described the demonstration as an attempt to turn an international platform into what he termed a “dirty political arena.” The Prime Minister had also condemned a shirtless protest by Youth Congress members as inappropriate and damaging to the country’s image.

As the debate intensifies, the episode underscores the widening political divide between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress, with both sides accusing the other of undermining democratic norms and national interest.