A police complaint has been filed against Independent MP from Bihar’s Purnia, Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, over his symbolic protest inside the Parliament complex on the alleged embezzlement of donations meant for the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
The complaint was lodged at Jahangirpuri Police Station in Delhi by petitioner Surya Maithil, who accused the MP of hurting religious sentiments during the demonstration. The protest was attended by several leaders of the Opposition’s INDIA bloc, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
Protest Used Street Theatre to Highlight Donation Allegations
The Parliament complex witnessed an unusual protest on Friday as Opposition MPs staged a street play to target the Centre over allegations of irregularities in Ram Temple donations.
Dressed in saffron robes and portraying a temple priest, Pappu Yadav carried a photograph of Lord Ram while sitting beside donation boxes placed at the protest site. As part of the performance, Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition MPs deposited money into the boxes, while Yadav symbolically slipped the donations into his pocket to depict the alleged misappropriation of temple funds.
The protest was accompanied by slogans such as “Chanda chor, gaddi chhod”, “Jawab tumko dena hoga”, and “Amit Shah, Sadan mein aao.”
Complainant Demands Legal Action
Speaking to ANI, complainant Surya Maithil alleged that the protest insulted Hindu religious symbols.
“Pappu Yadav insulted the saffron and the drama he staged outside Parliament was supported by Rahul Gandhi, Dimple Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad, and other MPs from the INDIA alliance. In it, Pappu Yadav even placed the picture of Lord Ram Lalla Virajman under his feet. This has hurt the sentiments of Sanatanis,” Maithil said.
He further demanded action from the authorities.
“I have filed a complaint at Jahangirpuri Police Station. I demand that Home Minister Amit Shah, the Delhi Police Commissioner and other senior police officers take immediate legal action against all those responsible for hurting religious sentiments,” he said.
Lok Sabha Secretariat Objects to Style of Protest
Following the demonstration, the Lok Sabha Secretariat reportedly took a strict view of the manner in which the protest was conducted.
According to sources, the Secretariat has made it clear that costume-based protests and dramatic performances will not be permitted within the Parliament House complex. Sources also said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed displeasure over the incident and directed that existing guidelines governing protests inside Parliament be enforced more strictly.
Opposition Defends Demonstration
Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav defended the protest, saying it was intended to draw attention to allegations surrounding donations made by devotees at the Ram Temple.
“This is a symbolic protest to highlight what has happened in Ayodhya. Devotees made donations, but there are allegations that receipts were not issued and CCTV footage was deleted. We want a discussion on this issue in Parliament,” he said.
BJP Slams Opposition
Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticised the Opposition over the protest and accused it of insulting Sanatan Dharma.
“It is unfortunate for the country and for political parties like the Congress and the Samajwadi Party, which, for the sake of votes, have worked to defame Sanatan. Sanatan will respond to this, and this is an offence that we will never forgive,” Singh said.
Delhi Police have not yet announced whether an FIR has been registered in connection with the complaint.
