New Delhi | July 31, 2026
High drama unfolded at the entrance of Parliament on Friday as Opposition lawmakers, led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Independent MP Pappu Yadav, performed a theatrical protest alleging large-scale financial irregularities in Ayodhya Ram Temple donations.
Wearing saffron attire, Pappu Yadav enacted a priest discreetly pocketing funds while Opposition MPs—acting as temple devotees—deposited money into collection boxes. The street-play demonstration was organized to demand a parliamentary debate over allegations of unissued donation receipts and missing CCTV records at the shrine.
Key figures from the INDIA bloc, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party MPs Awadhesh Prasad and Dharmendra Yadav, and JMM MP Mahua Maji, joined the demonstration behind a large banner questioning Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s absence from the House.
Speaker Displeasure & BJP Criticism
The dramatized protest triggered immediate resistance from both the Lok Sabha Secretariat and Treasury benches:
-
Strict Action on Parliament Rules: Expressing deep displeasure over costume-driven performances on the precinct, the Lok Sabha Secretariat reinforced that dramatic skits and costume protests are strictly prohibited within the Parliament premises, signaling tighter enforcement of guidelines.
-
Treasury Response: Union Minister Giriraj Singh sharply criticized the demonstration, accusing the Congress and Samajwadi Party of “defaming Sanatan culture” for political gain.
Protests Overview
-
Event: Mock Street Play & Protest Demonstration
-
Venue: Outside Makar Dwar, Parliament House, New Delhi
-
Key Key Figures: Pappu Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Dharmendra Yadav
-
Primary Demand: Parliamentary discussion on alleged Ayodhya donation embezzlement and missing receipt records
-
Official Stance: Lok Sabha Speaker reiterates ban on costume-based demonstrations in Parliament grounds
