SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) on Monday launched a signature campaign across Shillong demanding clarification from the Central Government following political allegations linking Prime Minister Narendra Modi to references contained in the controversial so-called “Epstein Files.”
The campaign, organised as part of a nationwide protest initiative by the Congress party, saw Mahila Congress members collecting public signatures in different parts of the city.
The protest follows statements made by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who questioned reports claiming that the Prime Minister’s name appeared in certain documents associated with convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Congress leaders have argued that any such references, if verified, warrant transparency and official clarification, citing concerns related to India’s diplomatic image and institutional accountability.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), however, has strongly rejected the allegations, describing them as baseless and misleading. Officials maintained that the claims originate from unverified material linked to a criminal individual and hold no factual basis.
The controversy reportedly relates to references in emails connected to India’s diplomatic engagement with Israel during the Prime Minister’s 2017 visit.
Speaking during the campaign, Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress President Joplyn Scott Shylla said the initiative aims to seek accountability from the Union Government.
“We are gathering signatures from citizens to demand clarity and transparency. If any public representatives are found involved, appropriate responsibility must be fixed,” Shylla stated.
Mahila Congress members conducted outreach programmes across Shillong, interacting with residents and collecting signatures intended to be submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Despite the Centre’s denial of the allegations, the MPMC stated that the signature campaign will culminate in a formal petition seeking an official and detailed clarification from the Prime Minister’s Office.
