Pappu Yadav Stages ‘Chanda Chori’ Protest In Parliament Complex, Dons Saffron Attire

Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, along with other Opposition MPs, staged a symbolic protest in the Parliament complex on Friday over allegations of theft of donations linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Dressed in saffron, Yadav participated in a skit at Makar Dwar, where Opposition MPs placed donation boxes on the steps of Parliament. As part of the protest, MPs, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, put money into the boxes, while Yadav took money from them to symbolise the allegations raised by the INDIA bloc.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi were among the Opposition leaders who joined the protest. The demonstration also focused on alleged police action against student protesters during their July 20 march to Parliament.

Opposition Raises Slogans Against Amit Shah

During the protest, INDIA bloc MPs raised slogans including “Amit Shah istifa do”, “Amit Shah sadan mein aao” and “chadhawa chor, gaddi chorh”.

The lawmakers also carried a banner that read, “Amit Shah Sadan Se Gayab Kyun?” while demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and questioning his absence from parliamentary proceedings.

Among those present at the protest were Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party leaders Awadhesh Prasad and Dharmendra Yadav, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Mahua Maji.

Sharing a post on X, Pappu Yadav wrote, “Chanda chor gaddi chhod, besharm kuch to bol” and “Rammandir ki chanda chori par beimaan sarkar munh khol”.

The INDIA bloc has said it plans to raise the issue of alleged donation irregularities and the use of force against students during protests over the NEET paper leak.

BJP's Reaction

Union Minister Giriraj Singh criticised Purnia MP Pappu Yadav’s saffron attire and the Opposition’s protest over the Ram Mandir donation theft allegations, accusing the Congress and Samajwadi Party of targeting Sanatan traditions.

“The country will not tolerate this. These are not just Pappu Yadav’s actions. It is about the Samajwadi Party and the Congress joining hands to insult Sanatan in the name of the Ram Mandir,” Singh said.

He further alleged that the protest was part of a “well-planned strategy to defame Sanatanis in India” and questioned whether saints and followers of Sanatan would accept such actions.