In a significant legal development following a political demonstration, an FIR has been registered in Varanasi against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Independent MP from Purnia, Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, and Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad, Awadhesh Prasad. The case was filed based on allegations of hurting religious sentiments during a protest held within the Parliament complex. The complaint was lodged by a group of saints led by Patalpuri Peethadheeshwar Balakdas, who viewed the symbolic protest as a direct attack on Sanatan Dharma and the saint community.
The Incident at Parliament Complex
The controversy stems from an event that took place on July 31 2026, during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. Members of the INDIA bloc had gathered near the Makar Dwar of the Parliament House to protest against alleged irregularities and embezzlement in the collection of donations for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The protest took a theatrical turn, which has now become the center of the legal dispute. During the demonstration, Independent MP Pappu Yadav was seen dressed in saffron robes, wearing rudraksha beads, and appearing in the traditional attire of a priest. He sat near a donation box while holding a picture of Lord Ram.
Symbolic Drama and Political Participation
The protest involved several high-profile leaders of the opposition. Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra participated in the symbolic act by putting money into the donation boxes. Following this, the performance depicted a scene where Pappu Yadav allegedly put the cash into his pocket and attempted to run away with the donation box. This act was intended to symbolize the alleged theft or misappropriation of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. During the protest, Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad, who represents the Ayodhya region, confronted Pappu Yadav, grabbing his collar and demanding that the thief priest be punished.
Slogans and Allegations
The atmosphere at the Parliament complex was charged with slogans such as Chanda Chor, Gaddi Chhod (Donation thief, leave the throne). The opposition linked this protest to both the issue of temple donations and recent police actions against student protests. However, the portrayal of a priest as a thief and the use of sacred saffron attire for such a demonstration sparked immediate outrage among the religious community in Varanasi.
Legal Action in Varanasi
The saints in Varanasi took strong exception to the use of saffron clothing and the depiction of a temple priest as a thief in the theatrical protest. They described it as an insult to Sanatan Dharma, the saint community, and Lord Ram himself. In their formal complaint, they alleged that the protest had deeply hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus and demanded strict legal action against the involved Members of Parliament. The police at the Kotwali police station confirmed that they received a written complaint and have registered a case against the leaders based on the saints' grievances. As part of the investigation, the police are also examining videos of the Parliament protest that have gone viral on social media platforms.