On February 13, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Members of Parliament organized a demonstration within the premises of Parliament in New Delhi. The protest sought the resignations of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Additionally, the MPs urged the central government to increase the quota for political minorities and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in reservation policies. The RJD members are advocating for a 65% reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, and Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs), with the intention of including this provision in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution.

Support from Opposition and Other Political Figures

During the protest, Congress MP Rajeev Shukla expressed solidarity by joining RJD MPs in their demands. The demonstration occurred during an Oppositional gathering outside Makar Dwar in the Parliament House complex, where opposition members rallied for the resignation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

This call for resignation stems from allegations linked to controversial figures, specifically following comments made by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, regarding Puri’s supposed connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a name associated with a high-profile scandal.

Allegations and Political Reactions

Following a statement made by Rahul Gandhi earlier in the week, he claimed to have verified links between Hardeep Singh Puri and Epstein based on recently released files from the U.S. Department of Justice. Speaking to the press, Gandhi highlighted the absence of legal repercussions for Indian businessmen, notably Anil Ambani, who he asserted was also named in the Epstein-related documents.

He pointedly questioned why these individuals have not faced legal consequences, especially in the context of the India-U.S. nuclear deal, implying governmental pressure on Prime Minister Modi over sensitive issues.

Defensive Stance from Union Minister

In response to these allegations, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri strongly rejected Gandhi’s claims, characterizing them as unfounded and a mere spectacle. He described the accusations as “elements of buffoonery,” denoting that they had little substance and were intended to entertain rather than inform.

Later, Puri held a press conference at the BJP headquarters, where he further criticized Rahul Gandhi for his dramatic exit from the Lok Sabha shortly after delivering his remarks.

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