An FIR has been registered against Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, Independent MP from Purnia, at the Kotwali police station in Varanasi on charges of hurting religious sentiments. The case has been lodged on the basis of a complaint filed by saints, including Jagadguru Balak Das Devacharya of the Patalpuri Math in Kashi, over a Hinduphobic skit staged by opposition MPs including Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad Awadhesh Prasad, inside the Parliament complex in New Delhi on Friday.
The incident took place on 31 July 2026 during the ongoing Monsoon Session, when members of the INDIA bloc gathered near the Makar Dwar of Parliament to protest alleged irregularities and embezzlement in the collection of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Independent MP Pappu Yadav appeared dressed in saffron robes, complete with rudraksha mala and other priestly attire, and sat beside donation boxes while holding a photograph of Lord Ram. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, participated by placing money into the boxes as part of the enactment. Yadav then pocketed the cash and attempted to run away with the donation box, symbolising the alleged “chanda chori” or theft of donation at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad, who represents the constituency that includes Ayodhya, joined the skit by confronting Yadav, grabbing him by the collar and demanding that the “thief priest” be punished. Slogans such as “Chanda chor, gaddi chhod” and “Amit Shah istifa do” were also raised during the demonstration, which the opposition linked to both the temple donation issue and recent police action against student protesters.
Saints in Varanasi took strong exception to the use of saffron attire and the dramatisation of a temple priest as a thief, describing it as an insult to Sanatan Dharma, the saint community and Lord Ram. In their complaint, they alleged that the protest had wounded the religious feelings of Hindus and sought legal action against the MPs involved.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kashi Zone) Gaurav Banswal confirmed that a written complaint had been received at Kotwali police station and that a case had been registered against Pappu Yadav on the basis of the saints’ representation. Police noted that videos of the Parliament protest circulating on social media had also been taken into account.
An FIR has been registered in Varanasi against Pappu Yadav for mocking the Bhagwa and Hindu saints inside the Parliament premises.
— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) August 1, 2026
As confirmed by DCP Kashi Zone Gaurav Banswal, this shameless mockery of faith will finally face direct legal consequences. pic.twitter.com/AufhmnqPWi
A separate complaint was also filed at the Jahangirpuri police station in Delhi by social activist Surya Maithil, naming Pappu Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, Dimple Yadav, Awadhesh Prasad and other opposition MPs. The complainant alleged that the skit, which involved placing money in a symbolic donation box while wearing shoes and later snatching it, amounted to disrespect towards religious symbols, including the picture of Ram Lalla Virajman. Delhi Police have taken the complaint on record and stated that legal opinion would be sought before further action.
The opposition has maintained that the protest was aimed solely at highlighting alleged corruption in the handling of Ram Temple donations and demanding accountability from the government, and not at targeting any faith. Pappu Yadav later clarified that his act was directed against theft carried out in the name of religion. BJP leaders, however, condemned the demonstration as an insult to Sanatan Dharma and the saffron colour.
