Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav (Independent, Bihar) and Awadhesh Prasad (Samajwadi Party, Uttar Pradesh) face legal action after a symbolic protest inside the Parliament complex over alleged irregularities in Ram temple donation funds. The dispute began with opposition claims that donations meant for the Ram temple were “theft” or embezzled, prompting a protest featuring a skit at Makar Dwar. Reporting across outlets says the skit used religious imagery, with MPs placing money in boxes and Pappu Yadav slipping money into his pockets to depict alleged diversion of funds.
BJP leaders, including New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj, filed a police complaint in Delhi at the Parliament Street police station, seeking action against Gandhi and the two MPs. Swaraj and the complainants allege the skit amounts to a “mockery” of Sanatan culture and was intended to ridicule Indian religious traditions.
In parallel, police in Varanasi registered an FIR against the three leaders following complaints from seers and lawyers at Kotwali police station. The complainants say the skit hurt religious sentiments and insulted Sanatan Dharma. Protests by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists were also reported in connection with the row in Bhopal.