At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his cabinet colleagues, and close corporate associates were already under a cloud following the revelations linked to Jeffrey Epstein, a new, homegrown “Epstein-like” controversy now looms over the ruling establishment.
A fresh wave of allegations, ranging from sexual misconduct to systemic exploitation, has triggered a national debate, placing the ruling establishment under renewed scrutiny. What began as sporadic accusations against individual leaders has now snowballed into a broader narrative of alleged impunity, political protection, and institutional silence.
At the heart of the controversy lies a striking contradiction: the government’s flagship slogan, “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”, juxtaposed against mounting claims of crimes against women involving leaders affiliated with the ruling BJP. While the government continues to assert its commitment to women’s empowerment, opposition leaders and activists argue that the reality on the ground tells a far more troubling story.
A Political Firestorm Ignited
The latest political controversy has been triggered by a series of allegations and remarks from individuals once regarded as sympathetic to the ruling establishment. Among them is Madhu Purnima Kishwar, a former supporter of Narendra Modi and author of “Modinama”.
In a set of widely discussed public statements, Kishwar claimed that allegations regarding the Prime Minister’s personal conduct had circulated within political and ideological circles for years. Her assertions included references to alleged “predatory behaviour,” sexual impropriety, and susceptibility to blackmail. She suggested that such narratives had been informally discussed within “power networks” since 2014 and hinted at possible links between these claims and certain political appointments.
Kishwar stated that she deliberately distanced herself from Modi after he assumed office in May 2014, citing discomfort with what she had heard in these circles. She also alleged that discussions about the rise of certain women politicians were prevalent within ideological networks, implying that proximity to power may have influenced career advancement.
The controversy intensified after remarks by senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy circulated widely on social media, in which he made insinuations about the advancement of some women politicians under questionable circumstances.
Kishwar further claimed that such discussions extended beyond female politicians. Referring to figures such as Hardeep Singh Puri and S. Jaishankar, she alleged that certain names were informally linked to claims of providing “special services” during Modi’s tenure in Gujarat. She also asserted that similar stories were being discussed internationally, including during her visit to the United States in 2014.
In addition, Kishwar attempted to connect these claims to political decisions, citing the appointment of Smriti Irani as Education Minister as an example that, in her view, reinforced such narratives.
Describing the personal impact of these accounts, Kishwar said she felt deeply disturbed by what she heard and avoided public events where Modi was expected to be present. She also spoke about experiencing emotional distress during that period.
Kishwar further criticised individuals within the ruling ecosystem, including BJP’s social media head Amit Malviya, making additional allegations about his conduct.
Notably, there has been no formal response from the ruling party to these claims, nor has any legal action been reported against Kishwar or Swamy so far. This silence has prompted debate over whether it reflects a strategic decision to avoid amplifying unverified allegations or a deeper internal calculation.
Congress Offensive
Sensing a political opening, the opposition Indian National Congress has launched a strong attack. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Alka Lamba, president of the All India Mahila Congress, alleged that dozens of BJP MPs and MLAs face serious charges of rape and sexual harassment.
Lamba accused the ruling party of shielding accused individuals, arguing that such cases reflect a broader pattern rather than isolated incidents.
She cited several high-profile cases, including:
- The Unnao rape case involving former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who was convicted.
- Allegations by women wrestlers against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.
- Cases involving controversial figures such as Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and Asaram.
- The Bilkis Bano case, where remission granted to convicts was later overturned by the Supreme Court.
- The murder of Ankita Bhandari in Uttarakhand, which raised concerns about alleged attempts to suppress evidence.
Individual Cases, Systemic Questions
Several recent cases involving BJP-linked individuals have further intensified scrutiny:
In Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district, BJP leader Ajit Pal Singh Chauhan was arrested on charges, including rape, extortion, and intimidation.
In Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut, a non-bailable warrant was issued against BJP functionary Arvind Gupta Marwari in a case involving alleged sexual abuse of a minor.
In Goa, Soham Sushant Naik, the son of a BJP municipal councillor, was arrested in a case involving alleged abuse of multiple minors, drawing widespread outrage.
Observers have also revisited the resignation of M.J. Akbar in 2018 following allegations during India’s #MeToo movement. Although he denied the accusations and pursued legal remedies, the episode became a significant moment in discussions on workplace harassment.
Voices from Within and Beyond
The controversy has also drawn attention to claims from individuals within and outside political circles. A Gujarat-based woman, Seema Govind, alleged that women in politics often face pressure to compromise for career advancement. She also made claims regarding former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh who had asked her for a “give and take” arrangement in exchange for extending any favour.
Separately, Santanu Sinha, reportedly linked to BJP circles, accused Amit Malviya of misconduct. Malviya has denied the allegations and initiated defamation proceedings.
The controversy has also intersected with global discussions, particularly references, largely speculative, to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Some Opposition voices have attempted to draw indirect parallels involving Indian political figures, including Hardeep Singh Puri, though such claims remain contested.
Silence, Strategy, or Denial?
A notable aspect of the unfolding situation is the absence of detailed responses from BJP leadership. Analysts suggest this may be a calculated decision to avoid legitimising unverified claims or escalating the controversy.
Critics, however, argue that allegations of such seriousness warrant clear and transparent responses, even if only to categorically deny them.
Women’s Safety: The Larger Context
Beyond partisan politics, the issue has reignited concerns about women’s safety in India. Data cited by Alka Lamba highlighted a significant number of crimes against women reported in Varanasi, the Prime Minister’s constituency.
Critics argue that flagship initiatives such as “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” must be supported by stronger institutional mechanisms, including police accountability and judicial efficiency.
The persistence of such allegations across regions and political actors points, according to observers, to a broader challenge of public trust in institutions tasked with ensuring accountability.