Against theft, not faith: Pappu Yadav clarifies amid row over donation theft act
The MP from Bihar's Purnia shared an Instagram video showing him in saffron attire with a turban, tilak and rudraksha malas, performing Hindu rituals by pouring water over a rudraksha garland.
Pappu Yadav, Independent MP from Bihar’s Purnia, on Friday attempted to defuse a growing political and legal controversy over his symbolic skit inside the Parliament complex on the theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, asserting that he was not opposed to faith but to corruption carried out in its name.
Hours after the symbolic skit, Yadav posted a video on Instagram in which he is seen dressed in saffron attire with a traditional turban, sacred ash and tilak on his forehead, and multiple rudraksha malas around his neck.
Seated before a bowl containing a large rudraksha garland, he performs a Hindu ritual by pouring water over the garland, chanting prayers and making offerings.
The video appears intended to project his respect for Hindu religious practices amid the backlash over the Parliament protest.
In the caption accompanying the video, Yadav wrote, "I am not against faith, but the loot that is being committed in the name of faith. I have no objection to the color saffron, Hinduism, Hindutva, Sanatan, religious rituals, or sadhus and saints; I respect them all".
"My objection is directed solely at those 'donation thieves' who exploit the public's sentiments under the guise of religion and faith. Faith will always be respected, but our voice against these donation thieves will also always remain loud and clear," he emphasised.
WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT?
The controversy began during the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 31, when MPs of the INDIA bloc staged a satirical protest near the Makar Dwar against the BJP-led government over allegations of embezzlement of Ram Temple donations.
Donation boxes were placed on the steps, and Yadav, dressed as a priest, enacted a scene in which offerings were allegedly siphoned off.
In one sequence of the performance, a woman devotee accused the priest of stealing her money, while another person deposited cash into a donation box, after which the priest grabbed the box and ran away, symbolising alleged theft of temple donations.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi participated in the act, while Samajwadi Party MPs, including Dimple Yadav, were seen watching from behind.
The BJP sharply criticised the protest, accusing the Opposition of insulting Sanatan Dharma, saffron robes and Lord Ram. The Opposition maintained that the demonstration was aimed at highlighting allegations of donation theft and demanding accountability.
The matter later acquired a legal dimension after a complaint was filed against Pappu Yadav at Delhi’s Jahangirpuri police station, alleging that the Parliament protest hurt Hindu religious sentiments.
The complaint also named Rahul Gandhi, Dimple Yadav and Awadhesh Kumar, among others. Police said the complaint had been taken on record and legal opinion would be sought before any further action.
Pappu Yadav, Independent MP from Bihar’s Purnia, on Friday attempted to defuse a growing political and legal controversy over his symbolic skit inside the Parliament complex on the theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, asserting that he was not opposed to faith but to corruption carried out in its name.
Hours after the symbolic skit, Yadav posted a video on Instagram in which he is seen dressed in saffron attire with a traditional turban, sacred ash and tilak on his forehead, and multiple rudraksha malas around his neck.
Seated before a bowl containing a large rudraksha garland, he performs a Hindu ritual by pouring water over the garland, chanting prayers and making offerings.
The video appears intended to project his respect for Hindu religious practices amid the backlash over the Parliament protest.
In the caption accompanying the video, Yadav wrote, "I am not against faith, but the loot that is being committed in the name of faith. I have no objection to the color saffron, Hinduism, Hindutva, Sanatan, religious rituals, or sadhus and saints; I respect them all".
"My objection is directed solely at those 'donation thieves' who exploit the public's sentiments under the guise of religion and faith. Faith will always be respected, but our voice against these donation thieves will also always remain loud and clear," he emphasised.
WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT?
The controversy began during the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 31, when MPs of the INDIA bloc staged a satirical protest near the Makar Dwar against the BJP-led government over allegations of embezzlement of Ram Temple donations.
Donation boxes were placed on the steps, and Yadav, dressed as a priest, enacted a scene in which offerings were allegedly siphoned off.
In one sequence of the performance, a woman devotee accused the priest of stealing her money, while another person deposited cash into a donation box, after which the priest grabbed the box and ran away, symbolising alleged theft of temple donations.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi participated in the act, while Samajwadi Party MPs, including Dimple Yadav, were seen watching from behind.
The BJP sharply criticised the protest, accusing the Opposition of insulting Sanatan Dharma, saffron robes and Lord Ram. The Opposition maintained that the demonstration was aimed at highlighting allegations of donation theft and demanding accountability.
The matter later acquired a legal dimension after a complaint was filed against Pappu Yadav at Delhi’s Jahangirpuri police station, alleging that the Parliament protest hurt Hindu religious sentiments.
The complaint also named Rahul Gandhi, Dimple Yadav and Awadhesh Kumar, among others. Police said the complaint had been taken on record and legal opinion would be sought before any further action.
Pappu Yadav, Independent MP from Bihar’s Purnia, on Friday attempted to defuse a growing political and legal controversy over his symbolic skit inside the Parliament complex on the theft of donations at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, asserting that he was not opposed to faith but to corruption carried out in its name.
Hours after the symbolic skit, Yadav posted a video on Instagram in which he is seen dressed in saffron attire with a traditional turban, sacred ash and tilak on his forehead, and multiple rudraksha malas around his neck.
Seated before a bowl containing a large rudraksha garland, he performs a Hindu ritual by pouring water over the garland, chanting prayers and making offerings.
The video appears intended to project his respect for Hindu religious practices amid the backlash over the Parliament protest.
In the caption accompanying the video, Yadav wrote, "I am not against faith, but the loot that is being committed in the name of faith. I have no objection to the color saffron, Hinduism, Hindutva, Sanatan, religious rituals, or sadhus and saints; I respect them all".
"My objection is directed solely at those 'donation thieves' who exploit the public's sentiments under the guise of religion and faith. Faith will always be respected, but our voice against these donation thieves will also always remain loud and clear," he emphasised.
WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT?
The controversy began during the Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 31, when MPs of the INDIA bloc staged a satirical protest near the Makar Dwar against the BJP-led government over allegations of embezzlement of Ram Temple donations.
Donation boxes were placed on the steps, and Yadav, dressed as a priest, enacted a scene in which offerings were allegedly siphoned off.
In one sequence of the performance, a woman devotee accused the priest of stealing her money, while another person deposited cash into a donation box, after which the priest grabbed the box and ran away, symbolising alleged theft of temple donations.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi participated in the act, while Samajwadi Party MPs, including Dimple Yadav, were seen watching from behind.
The BJP sharply criticised the protest, accusing the Opposition of insulting Sanatan Dharma, saffron robes and Lord Ram. The Opposition maintained that the demonstration was aimed at highlighting allegations of donation theft and demanding accountability.
The matter later acquired a legal dimension after a complaint was filed against Pappu Yadav at Delhi’s Jahangirpuri police station, alleging that the Parliament protest hurt Hindu religious sentiments.
The complaint also named Rahul Gandhi, Dimple Yadav and Awadhesh Kumar, among others. Police said the complaint had been taken on record and legal opinion would be sought before any further action.
