In a sharp rebuttal directed at Rahul Gandhi during a parliamentary session, India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, condemned the Congress leader for bringing up the Epstein files, which link various political figures, including himself, to the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Puri suggested that Gandhi lacked maturity and understanding in his political maneuvers, as these files are based on numerous documents and public information that should be interpreted with caution.

Puri emphasized that the allegations made by Gandhi were unfounded and accused him of not carefully reading the material he was referencing, which amounted to a significant misunderstanding. He stated that if Gandhi had a better grasp of the facts, he would avoid making himself look foolish in the parliamentary debates. Puri's comments reflect a broader sense of frustration among ruling party members towards what they perceive as irresponsible political tactics employed by the opposition.

The discussion around the Epstein files has stirred significant political discourse in India, as it goes beyond individual accusations, causing an examination of political accountability and the impact of sensational allegations on public opinion. The exchange underscores the contentious nature of Indian politics, where leaders frequently engage in personal attacks and undermine each other's credibility while simultaneously addressing serious topics.