Hindu seers, VHP condemn Opposition MPs' saffron attire protest at Parliament
Synopsis
Opposition MPs staged a saffron-robed theatrical protest at Parliament's Makar Dwar over alleged Ram Temple donation theft — and the blowback from Hindu religious leaders was immediate. The VHP has invoked the Ramayana to condemn it, demanded expulsion of the MPs, and warned of legal action, turning a political stunt into a full-scale religious controversy.
Key Takeaways
Opposition MPs , including Pappu Yadav , staged a saffron-attire protest at Parliament's Makar Dwar on 31 July over alleged Ram Temple donation theft.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other MPs were seen symbolically dropping currency into donation boxes during the demonstration.
VHP international joint general secretary Surendra Jain urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take stringent action and warned of legal proceedings.
Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti general secretary Jitendranand Saraswati called the act an insult to Sanatan Dharma and demanded an unconditional apology.
The Ram Temple donation matter is currently under SIT investigation and is also before the Supreme Court .
Hindu religious leaders, seers, and organisations — including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) — have sharply condemned a demonstration staged by a group of Opposition MPs on Friday, 31 July at Parliament's Makar Dwar, in which lawmakers donned saffron attire to enact an alleged theft of donations from Ayodhya's Ram Temple. Religious figures called the act a direct insult to Hindu sentiments and demanded the expulsion of the MPs involved.
What Happened at Makar Dwar
Independent MP from Bihar's Purnia constituency, Rajesh Ranjan Yadav — widely known as Pappu Yadav — sat at the entrance to Parliament dressed in saffron robes, flanked by padlocked containers meant to represent donation boxes. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and several other protesting MPs were seen slipping currency notes into the containers, symbolising 'donations'. Yadav then ran off with the collection, mimicking a theft, as other MPs gave chase — all while lawmakers raised slogans over the alleged misappropriation of Ram Temple funds. The protest drew immediate and fierce backlash from the Hindu religious community.
VHP Urges Lok Sabha Speaker to Act
VHP international joint general secretary Surendra Jain issued a video statement urging Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take stringent action against the MPs involved. Jain strongly condemned Pappu Yadav's use of Hindu priestly attire and criticised the participation of largely Indian National Congress (Congress) and Samajwadi Party (SP) MPs in the protest. He also warned of possible legal action, alleging the demonstration hurt the sentiments of Hindus and insulted the seers. Drawing a parallel from the Ramayana, Jain compared the act to that of Ravana, who disguised himself as a saint to abduct Sita, saying the protesters were similarly attempting to 'hijack Hindu faith.'
Sant Samiti, Seers Demand Unconditional Apology
Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti national general secretary Jitendranand Saraswati also denounced the act in a separate video statement, calling it an insult to Sanatan Dharma. He described it as 'unacceptable' that Congress leaders and Yadav had 'misused' Parliament premises by wearing saffron robes during a political protest. Saraswati noted that the saints of Ayodhya had already responded to the alleged theft allegations, adding that the matter is being examined by an SIT and the Supreme Court. He demanded an unconditional apology from all those involved.
Other Religious Leaders Who Condemned the Act
Among the other prominent voices condemning the protest were Mahamandaleshwar Shashikant Das, Mahamandaleshwar Narayan Giri Ji Maharaj — president of the Saryu Aarti Samiti — along with several priests, seers, and office-bearers associated with the Ram Temple and allied religious institutions.
Context: The Ram Temple Donation Controversy
The protest is rooted in allegations of financial irregularities in the management of donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The matter is currently under investigation by an SIT and is also before the Supreme Court. This is the first time the controversy has spilled directly onto Parliament premises in such a theatrical manner, escalating the political and religious dimensions of the dispute simultaneously.
Point of View
The MPs handed religious organisations a ready-made counter-narrative that shifts public attention from financial accountability to religious grievance. The VHP's Ramayana parallel is rhetorically potent and will resonate far beyond the news cycle. Notably, the matter is already before the Supreme Court and an SIT — which raises a pointed question about whether parliamentary theatre was the most effective vehicle for the Opposition's concerns, or whether it has inadvertently fortified the ruling side's political position.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Parliament's Makar Dwar on 31 July?
Independent MP Pappu Yadav sat at Parliament's Makar Dwar dressed in saffron robes with padlocked donation boxes, enacting an alleged theft of Ram Temple funds. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other MPs participated by slipping currency into the containers, after which Yadav ran off with the collection while other MPs chased him.
Why did Hindu seers and VHP condemn the protest?
Religious leaders condemned the protest because Opposition MPs wore saffron robes — attire associated with Hindu priests and saints — during a political demonstration, which they said insulted Hindu religious sentiments and misused sacred symbols for political ends.
What action has the VHP demanded?
VHP international joint general secretary Surendra Jain has urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take stringent action against the MPs involved and has warned of possible legal proceedings for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments.
What is the status of the Ram Temple donation theft allegations?
According to Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti general secretary Jitendranand Saraswati, the alleged theft from Ayodhya's Ram Temple donations is being investigated by an SIT and the matter is also before the Supreme Court.
Which MPs and parties were involved in the protest?
The protest primarily involved Independent MP Pappu Yadav, along with MPs largely from the Congress and Samajwadi Party. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was also seen participating in the demonstration.
