A heated exchange unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, March 12 after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the Union government over reports of a United States waiver allowing India to continue purchasing crude oil from Russia amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Gandhi questioned the government’s energy policy and took aim at Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri during his remarks.

Raising concerns about India’s energy independence, Gandhi said the country should not allow another nation to influence decisions regarding its oil imports. He argued that India must retain full control over its relations with global energy suppliers.

Delivering his speech, Gandhi said, "The foundation of every single nation is its energy security. Allowing the United States to decide who we buy oil from, who we buy gas from, and whether we can buy oil from Russia or not. Our relationship with different oil suppliers can be decided by us. This is what has been bartered. Why would a nation the size of India allow any other nation, the President of another nation, to permit us to buy Russian oil?”

He further alleged that the government’s position indicated a “compromise” in its approach to energy policy. Gandhi also referred to the minister directly while making the accusation.

Adding further to his tally, Gandhi mentioned, "I have figured the puzzle out, and the puzzle is about compromise. We have a gentleman sitting here who is the oil minister."

He held Puri's alleged association with Jeffrey Epstein responsible for the compromise that occurred in the oil-buying policy.

The comments triggered protests from treasury benches, and the minister responded by defending the government’s handling of the country’s energy supply.

Puri said that India had secured adequate crude oil supplies despite disruptions in global energy routes.

Responding to the compromise jibe, Puri said, "The world has not faced a moment like this in modern energy history. India's crude supply position is secure, and the volume secured exceeds what the Hormuz would have delivered. Before the crisis, approximately 45% of India's crude imports transited along the Strait of Hormuz route. Thanks to the Prime Minister's outstanding diplomatic outreach and goodwill, India has secured crude volumes that exceed what the disrupted Strait of Hormuz could have delivered in the same period."

The debate soon turned disorderly when Gandhi attempted to display a document in the House that he claimed showed links between the minister’s daughter and investor George Soros. At that point, Speaker Om Birla intervened and reminded Gandhi that he had been permitted to speak only on the issue mentioned in the notice he had submitted.

According to the Speaker, Gandhi had sought permission to raise the issue of a shortage of LPG in the country rather than matters related to foreign policy or personal allegations.

"I have a copy of the notice given by the Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi regarding the gas shortage in the country, and I allowed him to speak on that subject. However, despite being a responsible Leader of the Opposition, discussing other issues without notice is not within the procedures and rules of Parliament. I am urging you again, and Parliament will not function this way. Parliament will function according to rules and procedures," Birla said and left his chair.

The mention of Epstein sparked loud protests in the House, leading to brief chaos during the proceedings.

However, the Speaker later clarified that Gandhi’s remarks referring to Epstein would remain part of the official parliamentary record.