Epstein Files Row: Congress Attacks PM Modi, BJP Defends

INC (Indian National Congress) reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi being mentioned in the recently released Epstein files and how politics around it has unfolded:

What the Epstein Files Mention

A tranche of documents from the US related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was recently released.
Among the documents circulating online is an email that refers to PM Modi’s official visit to Israel in July 2017.
The specific contents of the email have been heavily disputed and its authenticity/interpretation is controversial.

Government (BJP/MEA) Response

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly rejected any implication of wrongdoing by PM Modi. The MEA said the mention is just a reference to his official visit to Israel, and dismissed other allusions in the email as “trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal.”
Officials say there’s no evidence Modi is personally involved in any crime or improper contact with Epstein, and the reference is being misused in political messaging.

Congress (INC) Reaction

The Indian National Congress has been critical and used the reference politically:

Congress leaders publicly posted parts of the email and raised questions about Modi’s mention, framing it as a matter the Prime Minister needs to clarify.
They called the situation a “national shame” and asked Modi to explain his relationship or reasons for being mentioned in such files.
The Congress’s message has been circulated on social media (especially X/Twitter), pushing the narrative that this reference deserves scrutiny.

BJP Pushback

BJP leaders accused Congress of manipulating the email to falsely imply improper links, saying they altered wording to create a misleading impression.
BJP says such political tactics spread misinformation and hurt public discourse.

Important Context

The only verified factual part acknowledged by the government is that Modi’s 2017 visit to Israel is a real diplomatic trip referenced in the files — nothing more.
There’s no credible evidence in these documents that links Modi to any illegal activities associated with Epstein.

In short:
🔹 Congress is attacking Modi politically over a controversial reference in the Epstein files, demanding answers.
🔹 The government and BJP reject the narrative, dismissing the reference as baseless and emphasizing it only refers to a legitimate state visit