India
oi-Swastika Sruti
A political controversy has erupted after several Opposition MPs staged a skit inside the Parliament complex over alleged irregularities in Ram Mandir donations.
Opposition MPs staged a skit in Parliament on July 31st regarding alleged Ram Mandir donation irregularities, leading to FIRs in Varanasi and Delhi after complaints of insulting Sanatan Dharma, sparking criticism from the BJP.
The performance, which featured symbolic roles and slogans targeting the Centre, has triggered police complaints in multiple cities and drawn strong criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
FIR Registered in Varanasi
An FIR has been registered in Varanasi following a complaint filed by religious leader Mahant Balak Nath.
According to police, the complaint alleges that videos circulating on social media show Purnia MP Pappu Yadav dressed as a Hindu saint during the protest in a manner that allegedly insulted Sanatan Dharma and the community of saints.
विपक्ष ने आज संसद में विरोध के दौरान एक शॉर्ट प्ले किया। सांसद पप्पू यादव पुजारी बनकर आए। राहुल गांधी ने भी चंदा दानपात्र में डाला और पुजारी अयोध्या सांसद के पैर छूते दिखाई दिए।
फिर पुजारी बने पप्पू यादव दानपात्र लेकर भाग गए#Parliament pic.twitter.com/i39R7uH4CO
— Poonam Pandey (@pandeypoonam20) July 31, 2026
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kashi Zone) Gaurav Banswal said the complaint has been accepted and legal proceedings have been initiated. Police are examining the videos as part of the investigation.
Complaint Filed in Delhi
Except the Varanasi FIR, another police complaint has been lodged at Jehangirpuri Police Station in Delhi against Pappu Yadav.
VIDEO | Delhi: Advocate Sanket Gupta, after filing a complaint against MP Pappu Yadav and others, says, “The kind of act that Rahul Gandhi and Pappu Yadav staged in the Parliament premises was a complete violation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). We have come to the DCP… pic.twitter.com/bJs9CUaYcf
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 1, 2026
Meanwhile, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and several party leaders also submitted a complaint, alleging that the Parliament protest hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.
According to the BJP, the skit was not merely a political protest but an act that mocked Sanatan Dharma and disrespected India’s religious traditions.
What Happened Inside Parliament?
The controversy began after Opposition MPs staged a symbolic protest inside the Parliament complex on July 31.
During the demonstration, Pappu Yadav appeared dressed in saffron robes, portraying a temple priest while carrying a photograph of Lord Ram.
Other Opposition MPs acted as devotees and placed symbolic donations into a collection box.
As part of the scripted performance, the “priest” was shown allegedly putting some of the donated money into his pocket instead of the collection box. Another MP, acting as a devotee, questioned the act, using it to highlight allegations surrounding Ram Mandir donations.
The protest also featured slogans directed at the Central government and senior BJP leaders.
