Can you clarify, because while you've said gaslighting HN users is, "an egregious violation of the guidelines and a bannable offense on HN" [1], you're also saying the _questioning_ of gaslighting is allowed? Given the nature of gaslighting, those things seem one in the same, do they not?
ratww already pointed this out, but the issue from our point of view was implying that the other commenter was not posting in good faith (how much is $baddie paying you). The concept of gaslighting didn't really enter into it.
I really appreciate your supplying a specific link. It's amazing how rare that is! and makes it so much easier to respond accurately.
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16608054