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The FIR is under Sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for ‘deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and insult religious beliefs’
As part of a skit, the MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, put money inside the boxes, as Yadav slipped money into his pockets to symbolise the alleged theft at the Ram Temple. (Photos: X)
The Varanasi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav), and Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad on Saturday for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and insulting Sanatan Dharma, as per reports. The legal action stems from a symbolic protest performance enacted by INDIA bloc lawmakers near the Makar Dwar of Parliament.
The FIR was lodged at the Kotwali police station in Varanasi under Sections 299 and 302 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which address deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings and insult religious beliefs.
The Controversy Surrounding the Skit
The police action was initiated following a formal complaint filed by local seers, including Jagadguru Balak Das, head of the Patalpuri Math. The complaint focused on a political demonstration staged by Opposition MPs to highlight alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
During the demonstration, Opposition leaders placed donation boxes on the steps leading to Parliament’s Makar Dwar. While MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, dropped money into the boxes, Pappu Yadav—wearing saffron robes—sat beside them and enacted a sequence where he pocketed the offerings. Complainants alleged that the portrayal insulted the saffron robe, the monastic community, and sacred traditions of Sanatan Dharma.
Key Figures Named in the Police Complaint
- Rahul Gandhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and former Congress president, who participated in the protest.
- Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav): Independent Member of Parliament representing Bihar’s Purnia constituency, who portrayed the central figure in the demonstration.
- Awadhesh Prasad: Samajwadi Party MP representing the Faizabad Lok Sabha constituency, which encompasses Ayodhya.
Political Fallout and Legal Implications
The incident triggered sharp reactions across political and religious spheres. While the Opposition maintained that the demonstration was a legitimate political skit intended to demand accountability and highlight administrative issues, the complainants described the enactment as an unforgivable insult to Hindu traditions.
The registration of the case in Varanasi—a key spiritual hub—marks an escalation in the confrontation between the ruling establishment and Opposition leaders over political messaging within the parliamentary complex. Authorities have initiated preliminary procedures under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as part of the ongoing investigation.
About the Author
Pathikrit Sen Gupta is a Senior Associate Editor with News18.com and likes to cut a long story short. He writes sporadically on Politics, Sports, Global Affairs, Space, Entertainment, And Food. He tra…Read More
August 01, 2026, 19:51 IST
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