A fresh political debate has erupted in the country following the recent release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein by the United States Department of Justice. The Social Democratic Party of India has strongly condemned the disclosures, with its National General Secretary Mohammad Ashraf raising serious questions over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, moral standing, and India’s foreign policy.

Mohammad Ashraf said that the claims contained in the Epstein files are deeply disturbing. According to the documents, there is an alleged reference to an email by Jeffrey Epstein claiming that during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel in 2017, he acted on Epstein’s advice. The email reportedly portrays the visit as a planned diplomatic exercise aimed at influencing the then US President Donald Trump.

The Social Democratic Party of India stated that if these allegations are found to be true, they would pose a serious threat to India’s independent foreign policy and national sovereignty. The party expressed concern that the influence of a convicted criminal reaching the highest levels of India’s diplomatic decision-making could severely damage the country’s credibility and public trust.

Ashraf also questioned the Modi government’s response to the controversy. He said that instead of providing a transparent and fact-based explanation, the government dismissed the allegations briefly, without offering any clear clarification on the specific claims mentioned in the US documents.

The files also refer to other alleged contacts between Epstein and Indian leadership. According to the party, even after Epstein was convicted in 2008, he allegedly maintained links with senior Indian officials, including the name of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. The party said that if these claims are substantiated, it would reflect a grave disregard for political ethics and accountability.

Additionally, the documents claim that Epstein attempted to facilitate a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US political strategist Steve Bannon. The Social Democratic Party of India described this as an effort to associate India with controversial and divisive ideologies at the global level.

Calling the revelations a “national embarrassment,” Mohammad Ashraf demanded parliamentary intervention. He said the allegations must be subjected to an independent and impartial investigation, and that the Prime Minister should be held accountable in keeping with the dignity and responsibility of the country’s highest constitutional office.