Varanasi: Police complaints have been filed in Uttar Pradesh against Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, popularly known as Pappu Yadav, alleging that a skit performed at the Parliament complex over the alleged misuse of Ram Temple donations hurt religious sentiments.
The controversy began on Friday when Pappu Yadav arrived at the Parliament premises dressed as a monk and staged a performance referring to the alleged embezzlement of donations made at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Several Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, were present during the act.
In Varanasi, two separate complaints were submitted on Saturday—one by a group of seers at the Kotwali police station and another by lawyers. Both complaints alleged that the performance offended the religious sentiments of Hindus and sought legal action against those involved.
Speaking to IANS, Patalpuri Math head priest Jagadguru Balak Das Devacharya alleged that the skit insulted the saffron robe, the saint community and Lord Ram. He said the complainants had demanded legal action against all Opposition leaders associated with the performance, warning that seers would launch large-scale protests if no action was taken.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Kashi Zone) Gaurav Banswal confirmed that a written complaint had been received after videos of the Parliament skit surfaced on social media. He said the complaint alleged that religious sentiments had been hurt and, at present, specifically named Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav.
Lawyers in Varanasi also staged a protest against the MP and submitted a written complaint to the Cantonment police. Advocate Vineet Kumar Singh said they had sought the registration of a case against both Pappu Yadav and Rahul Gandhi, claiming the performance amounted to an insult to Sanatan Dharma.
A similar complaint was filed on Friday at Delhi’s Jahangirpuri Police Station by petitioner Surya Maithil, who also accused Pappu Yadav of hurting religious sentiments during the Parliament protest.
Meanwhile, several seers and Hindu organisations, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), held demonstrations in different parts of the country, alleging that the skit insulted Sanatan Dharma and demanding action against those involved.
With inputs from IANS