Tezzbuzz Desk – Troubles appear to be mounting for 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. A case has been filed against the three leaders in Varanasi for hurting religious sentiments. The matter relates to the opposition’s protest in the Parliament premises regarding donations for the Ram Temple.
Saints led by Patalpuri Peethadhishwar Balakdas filed a complaint at the Kotwali police station in Varanasi. The saints alleged that the use of saffron robes and religious symbols during the protest in Parliament hurt the sentiments of Sanatan Dharma and the Sant Samaj.
What happened in the Parliament premises?
The incident took place on July 31, 2026. During the monsoon session of Parliament, several MPs from the INDIA bloc gathered near the Makar Dwar for a protest.
This opposition protest was organized over alleged irregularities and embezzlement in collecting donations for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
During the protest, Purnia MP Pappu Yadav appeared in saffron clothes and a Rudraksha rosary. He held a picture of Lord Ram and sat near a donation box.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, dropped money
A donation box placed there was also used to symbolically mark the protest. Several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, participated in the protest by dropping money into it.
Pappu Yadav then put the money in his pocket as part of the protest and attempted to take the donation box away. According to the opposition, this was an attempt to symbolically highlight the alleged theft of Ram Temple donations.
Awadhesh Prasad grabbed Pappu Yadav’s collar
Awadhesh Prasad, Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad, also joined the protest. During the symbolic protest, he grabbed Pappu Yadav’s collar and called for the punishment of the “thief priest.”
During this time, opposition MPs raised slogans such as “Chanda Chor, Gaddi Chhod” (Chicken, Leave the Throne). The opposition also linked this protest to the alleged temple donation scandal and the police action against the student protest.
Saints Express Displeasure Over Protest
After videos of this protest in the Parliament complex surfaced, the Sant Samaj of Varanasi strongly objected.
The saints stated that portraying a priest wearing saffron robes as a thief during the protest was inappropriate. They called it an insult to Sanatan Dharma, the Sant Samaj, and Lord Ram and demanded action.
Led by Patalpuri Peethadhishwar Balakdas, the saints reached the Kotwali police station and filed a written complaint.
Allegations of Hurting Religious Sentiments
In their complaint, the saints alleged that the protest in the Parliament complex hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindu community. They stated that religious symbols and the attire of saints should not have been used in this manner for political protest.
The complaint demanded legal action against the MPs involved in the protest.
Social media videos also taken into account
According to the police, a written complaint has been filed by the saints at the Kotwali police station. Along with the complaint, social media videos related to the protest in the Parliament complex have also been taken into account.
Charges of hurting religious sentiments have been filed against Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, and Awadhesh Prasad in the case. The police will now investigate the matter further and take legal action.