Ram Gopal Yadav calls Pappu Yadav's saffron robe Parliament protest 'wrong'
Synopsis
The opposition's Ram Temple donation skit inside Parliament has fractured even its own ranks — SP's Ram Gopal Yadav publicly called Pappu Yadav's saffron robe act 'wrong', even as the party insists the core allegation of financial irregularities must be answered. An FIR in Varanasi against Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, and Awadhesh Prasad has sharpened the political battle.
Key Takeaways
SP MP Ram Gopal Yadav on 3 August called Pappu Yadav's saffron robe Parliament protest 'wrong' and 'inappropriate'.
The skit was staged in front of the Makar Dwar to highlight alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple, Ayodhya donations.
An FIR was filed in Varanasi against Rahul Gandhi , Pappu Yadav , and Awadhesh Prasad for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.
SP MP Dimple Yadav alleged the FIR was meant to deflect attention from the donation irregularity issue.
TMC MP Kirti Azad questioned whether those allegedly responsible for financial irregularities within the Trust would face any legal scrutiny.
Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Monday, 3 August said that Independent MP Pappu Yadav's decision to dress in saffron robes during a parliamentary protest over alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations was inappropriate and should not have happened. He argued that saints bore no connection to the alleged financial irregularities being protested.
What Happened Inside Parliament
The controversy stems from a symbolic skit staged by opposition MPs inside the Parliament complex on Friday, in front of the Makar Dwar. The performance was aimed at highlighting allegations of financial irregularities linked to donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
During the demonstration, Pappu Yadav — whose legal name is Rajesh Ranjan, representing Bihar's Purnia constituency — appeared in saffron attire. Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other opposition MPs placed money into donation boxes, while Pappu Yadav was seen putting money into his pockets to symbolise the alleged theft of temple funds. Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad, who represents the Faizabad (Ayodhya) constituency in Uttar Pradesh, also participated.
FIR Filed in Varanasi
The skit triggered a sharp political backlash. An FIR was registered in Varanasi against Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, and Awadhesh Prasad, with the complainant alleging that the performance had hurt religious sentiments and insulted Sanatan Dharma.
What SP Leaders Said
Addressing reporters, Ram Gopal Yadav said, 'It was wrong because the saints had nothing to do with the alleged theft that took place in the Ram Temple. It was basically an incorrect act, and it should not have happened.'
Despite distancing the party from the manner of the protest, he insisted the underlying issue remained legitimate. 'Every issue has a solution if there is a willingness to find one. We will continue to raise the Ram Temple matter because it concerns crores of people. The issue is not confined to India alone. Devotees of Lord Ram and followers of Hinduism across the world contributed to the construction of the temple by donating money, jewellery, gold and silver. Naturally, any allegation related to the misuse of those contributions hurts their sentiments,' he said.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav alleged that the FIR was a diversionary tactic. 'This is being done only to deflect attention. There is widespread disappointment with the government. The allegations regarding the land scam and the theft of donations linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi issue are serious, and the government must take responsibility,' she said.
TMC Raises Broader Questions
Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad questioned whether action would be taken against those allegedly responsible for the financial irregularities themselves. 'What will happen to those who, while dressed as saints, are allegedly committing dacoity from within the Trust? Will there be any discussion about them? Others may call it theft, but I call it dacoity. Has anyone in saffron robes publicly acknowledged that such a theft took place? Pappu Yadav only highlighted the names that have already been mentioned in connection with these allegations,' Azad said.
The episode underscores a deepening political fault line over the Ram Temple donations controversy, with opposition parties signalling they intend to keep the issue alive even as the government and its allies push back through legal channels.
Point of View
Meanwhile, follows a well-worn playbook: shift the spotlight from the allegation to the allegators. The opposition's challenge now is to keep the Ram Temple donation question in public discourse without handing the ruling side a religious-sentiment counter-narrative that drowns out the financial accountability argument.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Pappu Yadav dress in saffron robes during the Parliament protest?
Pappu Yadav wore saffron attire as part of a symbolic skit staged by opposition MPs near the Makar Dwar inside the Parliament complex to highlight allegations of embezzlement of Ram Temple donations in Ayodhya. In the performance, he was depicted putting money into his pockets to represent the alleged theft of temple funds.
What did Ram Gopal Yadav say about the protest?
Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said the act was 'wrong' and 'should not have happened', arguing that saints had no connection to the alleged financial irregularities at the Ram Temple. He nonetheless maintained that the core issue of alleged donation misuse must be addressed.
Why was an FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi and others?
An FIR was registered in Varanasi against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Pappu Yadav, and SP MP Awadhesh Prasad, alleging that the parliamentary skit hurt religious sentiments and insulted Sanatan Dharma. SP MP Dimple Yadav called the legal action a bid to deflect attention from the donation irregularity allegations.
What are the allegations surrounding Ram Temple donations?
Opposition parties have alleged financial irregularities, including embezzlement, in donations collected for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. They claim that contributions made by devotees across India and worldwide — in the form of money, jewellery, gold, and silver — may have been misused, and are demanding government accountability.
What did TMC MP Kirti Azad say about the controversy?
Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad questioned whether those allegedly responsible for financial irregularities within the Ram Temple Trust would face any legal action. He described the alleged wrongdoing as 'dacoity' and noted that Pappu Yadav's protest only named individuals already linked to the allegations in public discourse.
