Opposition Disrupts Lok Sabha Over Hardeep Singh Puri Row, House Adjourned Till March 9
New Delhi: The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Friday after Opposition members created an uproar demanding the resignation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The Lower House will now reconvene on March 9 following a three-week recess.
As soon as proceedings began, Opposition MPs rushed to the well of the House holding placards and raising slogans against the minister. The protests were triggered by allegations that Puri’s name appeared in documents referred to as the “Epstein files” released in the United States. The Opposition also raised objections over the recently announced India–U.S. interim trade agreement, intensifying the disruption.
Parliamentary proceedings were repeatedly interrupted as members continued sloganeering, leaving little room for legislative business. Amid the chaos, the House was eventually adjourned for the day.
Earlier this week, Hardeep Singh Puri strongly rejected insinuations made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding his alleged links to the late American financier Jeffrey Epstein. Responding to the controversy, the minister stated that he had met Epstein on “a few occasions” in a professional capacity but asserted that those interactions had no connection with the crimes for which Epstein was convicted.
The remarks came after political sparring between the Treasury and Opposition benches escalated in the wake of the U.S. document disclosures. The Opposition has demanded greater clarity and accountability, while the government has accused its critics of spreading baseless insinuations.
Before the adjournment, the House observed a minute of silence to pay tribute to former Haridwar MP Bhagwandas Rathore, who passed away recently.
Friday’s adjournment marks yet another disruption in the ongoing session, as political tensions continue to shape parliamentary proceedings.
Our Thoughts
The adjournment highlights how international controversies can quickly spill into domestic politics. While allegations and political exchanges dominate headlines, parliamentary productivity continues to suffer. With crucial legislative business pending, prolonged disruptions risk undermining the House’s core responsibilities. As the session resumes in March, clarity on the issues raised and a more structured debate may help restore focus on governance rather than confrontation.