NEW DELHI: NEW DELHI: The Parliament complex turned into the scene of a political street play on Friday after a saffron-clad Independent MP Pappu Yadav along with other opposition MPs staged a symbolic protest over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party MPs Awadhesh Prasad and Dharmendra Yadav, and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MP Mahua Maji were among those who participated in the protest at Makar Dwar.The opposition also targeted Union home minister Amit Shah over the alleged police action against students during the July 20 NEET-UG protest, demanding his resignation and questioning his absence from Parliament.Holding placards and a large banner reading “Amit Shah Sadan Se Gayab Kyun?”, the MPs raised slogans including “Amit Shah istifa do,” “Amit Shah sadan mein aao,” “Chadhawa chor, gaddi chhod,” and “Jawab tumko dena hoga.”
Ram Temple donation skit
As part of the protest, Pappu Yadav, whose real name is Rajesh Ranjan, portrayed a temple priest carrying a photograph of Lord Ram and sitting beside donation boxes.The symbolic performance unfolded like a street play. opposition MPs acted as devotees and placed money into the donation box.In a dramatic twist, Yadav was seen slipping the money into his pocket instead, symbolising the Opposition’s allegation of theft of Ram Temple donations.In videos ciculating online, Rahul Gandhi can be also seen putting money into the donation box.An MP playing the role of a devotee then confronted the “priest” over the alleged act. The “priest” denied any wrongdoing before theatrically fleeing the scene, drawing attention to the Opposition’s allegations through satire.The INDIA bloc said the protest was aimed at highlighting the alleged embezzlement of Ram Temple donations and demanding accountability from the Centre.
Opposition steps up attack
The protest came as the opposition continued to press the government over two issues, the alleged theft of donations at the Ram Temple and the alleged use of excessive force against students protesting over the NEET-UG paper leak.
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The opposition demanded that Amit Shah address Parliament and answer questions over the July 20 police action against student protesters.The protest comes days after the Supreme Court was informed that the Uttar Pradesh government had constituted a fresh Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Inspector General of Police Kiran S, to investigate allegations of embezzlement of donations.Taking note of the government’s submission on July 27, the apex court directed the SIT to file a status report within two weeks. The bench also ordered that a forensic auditor be associated with the investigation, observing that the allegations involve possible misappropriation of trust funds.Meanwhile, proceedings in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day amid continued sloganeering and protests by opposition members.
