A theatrical protest outside Parliament on Friday drew the attention of MPs, journalists and social media users, with videos of the demonstration quickly going viral online.
After several days of repeated adjournments, Parliament resumed business, with opposition MPs targeting the government over the police action against protesters during the July 20 demonstrations organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) while discussions on the Public Examination Bill continued inside the House.
Amid the proceedings, the alleged Ram Janmabhoomi Temple donation theft also became a political flashpoint.
Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, staged a symbolic protest outside Makar Dwar of Parliament.
Dressed as a Hindu sadhu, Pappu Yadav performed a skit depicting the alleged theft of donations from the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
The protest referred to the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged disappearance of crores of rupees from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The investigation has led to the arrest of cash-handling staff and has also highlighted alleged security lapses, including inadequate CCTV surveillance.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Pappu Yadav and his wife, former Congress MP Ranjeeta Ranjan, are seen dressed as saints, sitting on the ground with a donation box placed in front of them.
As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi approaches to symbolically donate money, Pappu Yadav snatches away the donation box, portraying the alleged misappropriation of temple donations.
INDIA bloc MPs can be seen in the background holding placards and raising slogans in support of the protest.
The protest triggered mixed reactions online. Supporters described the skit as a symbolic protest highlighting alleged financial irregularities, while BJP leaders and supporters criticised it as disrespectful to Hindu religious traditions and temple priests. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also cautioned MPs against actions that undermine the dignity of Parliament.
