Pappu Yadav's Ram Mandir Skit Sparks Row: Police Complaints Filed

Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, performed a controversial skit on the Parliament premises on Saturday, alleging a 'donation theft' scam related to the Ram Temple. Dressed in saffron robes, the MP enacted a scene depicting the theft of temple funds, a move he described as a symbolic protest against the 'betrayal of faith' of millions of devotees. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge briefly joined the demonstration, lending weight to the INDIA bloc's demand for an investigation into the Ram Temple Trust's finances.

The protest has drawn sharp condemnation from the BJP and the wider saffron ecosystem. Seers and lawyers have filed multiple police complaints against Pappu Yadav and Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the performance hurt religious sentiments and desecrated sacred attire. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and other ruling party leaders described the act as undignified, while the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) called for the expulsion of the involved MPs. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has reportedly taken cognisance of the matter, issuing a warning against using the Parliament complex for such performances.

Despite the backlash, Pappu Yadav and other Opposition leaders have doubled down on their demands for a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah. They are questioning why the treasurer of the Ram Temple Trust, who they claim has links to the RSS, has not been investigated following allegations of financial irregularities. The row has already led to the adjournment of Rajya Sabha proceedings and is expected to dominate the remainder of the current Parliament session. This development intensifies the political battle over religious transparency and the management of major national shrines.