Shoe thrown at Pappu Yadav during press conference after his skit insulting Hindu sentiments, the MP claims attempt to murder

Chaos erupted at the Delhi residence of Independent Purnia MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, on Sunday when a man allegedly hurled a shoe at him during a press conference, triggering a scuffle with the MP’s supporters. Yadav later claimed the incident was part of a plot to kill him and alleged that the assailant was carrying a knife. The incident took place days after Pappu Yadav staged a highly objectionable skit in parliament dressed as a Hindu saint, where he portrayed the saints as thieves.

The press conference was underway when a man approached him and threw a slipper towards the MP, sparking a sudden confrontation. While the footwear missed the independent MP, Yadav’s supporters overpowered the man and started to beat him. However, the cops present at the spot managed to protect the man from the assault and took him in custody.

According to the MP and his aides, a knife was recovered from him, and they claimed that it was a plot to murder the MP. Visuals from the scene showed the chaotic moments and the recovered knife placed on a table.

Speaking after the incident, Pappu Yadav alleged a conspiracy against him linked to the controversies over his skit. “Babas are saying every day, ‘Kill me, burn me down; we will give ₹51 lakh.’ We caught him and handed him over to the police. There was a plot to kill me, but I survived,” he said. He further stated that the man had come with a knife intending to attack him and questioned how such a person could enter his residence.

Delhi Police sources identified the main accused as Sumit, a 34-year-old iron trader originally from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh and currently based in Ghaziabad. A second person, identified as Happy, was allegedly waiting in a Creta car parked outside the residence. Both men reportedly told police they had travelled from Bulandshahr to Delhi to get their vehicle repaired. Police are verifying whether the knife was brought by them and are interrogating the accused to ascertain the motive. No previous criminal record has been found against Sumit so far.

The incident comes amid a row over a skit staged by Opposition MPs, including Yadav, inside the Parliament complex on July 31. In the performance, Yadav had portrayed a temple priest wearing saffron robes as part of a demonstration alleging irregularities and corruption in donations collected for the Ram Mandir. The skit drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders, Hindu saints and others who accused the participants of hurting Hindu religious sentiments. Multiple police complaints and FIRs were registered against Yadav and other MPs in Delhi and Varanasi. Bajrang Dal had also held protests outside Parliament over the issue.

Yadav has defended the skit, asserting that raising questions on theft of donations to temple was not wrong. His supporters and media coordinator maintained that the attack appeared premeditated and claimed the MP’s security concerns had been flagged to Delhi Police earlier.

The accused has been taken into custody and taken to Tilak Marg Police Station, and further investigation is underway. Police are examining the sequence of events and the claims of a larger conspiracy.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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