However, a defiant Yadav said they were protesting to protect Sanatan and will not be cowed down by any number of FIRs. He was reacting a day after a case was filed in Varanasi on the complaint of seers against him, Gandhi and Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad (Ayodhya) Awadhesh Prasad while BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and other leaders filed a police complaint in Delhi.
The RSS affiliate Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) also attacked Gandhi and Yadav, alleging that the two leaders insulted Sanatan Dharma through the protest staged in the Parliament complex.
Yadav, dressed in a saffron outfit, performed the skit along with other opposition MPs in front of the Makar Dwar at the Parliament complex on Friday. The MPs, including Gandhi, put money inside donation boxes, while Rajesh Ranjan, known as Pappu Yadav, slipped money into his pockets to symbolise the alleged theft at the Ram temple.
Yadav is an Independent MP from Purnia constituency in Bihar.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh alleged that the protest hurt the sentiments of millions of Ram devotees and was not merely an act of political opposition but “a premeditated offence”.
“Rahul Gandhi and everyone involved in this act, whether from the Samajwadi Party or any other political party, must publicly apologise to the entire nation and to Hindus across the world,” Chugh told PTI Videos.He alleged that Gandhi and the INDIA bloc now have only one kind of politics left — “opposing Sanatan”.
“At one time they called Sanatan ‘dengue’, at another time a ‘virus’, and they keep finding new ways to attack it. Insulting Hindu faith, traditions and symbols of devotion has become their habit; something the country will never accept,” he said.
Chugh alleged that leaders who opposed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and boycotted the construction of the Ram temple are now mocking symbols associated with the shrine.
“These are the same people who tried to stop the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi movement, who had kar sevaks fired upon, turning Ayodhya red with blood and leaving the Saryu covered with bodies.
“These are the same people who boycotted the construction of the Ram temple. Today, they are mocking the symbols of faith associated with Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, making jokes and ridiculing them,” he said.
VHP leader Surender Gupta also criticised Gandhi and Yadav, describing the protest as a “vulgar display” that insults Sanatan dharma and saints.
“It is extremely unfortunate that such a vulgar display was staged outside Parliament in the country’s capital. The way the two ‘Pappus’ insulted Sanatan and saints has deeply angered the community of saints as well as the Hindu community,” Gupta told PTI Videos.
He urged the opposition to stop insulting India’s culture, Hindus, saints and temples.
“Yesterday, we organised a Sadbuddhi Havan at Jantar Mantar, praying that God grants them wisdom. The country’s youth are also being misled by such actions. While opposing the government politically, they must stop insulting India’s culture, Hindus, saints and temples,” he said.
Referring to the alleged embezzlement of donations, Gupta said the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust itself detected the alleged wrongdoing, lodged a complaint with authorities and an SIT investigation is underway.
“In this case, a few employees allegedly attempted to steal money. The trust caught them, lodged a written complaint with the authorities, and an SIT investigation is currently underway. Everyone found guilty will be arrested and face strict punishment,” he said.
Referring to the resignations of Trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, Gupta said they had sent a positive message to the country.
“On moral grounds, some senior functionaries also resigned. In such an environment, resigning on moral grounds and exposing the entire matter themselves sends a very positive message to the country,” he said.
Defending his actions, Pappu Yadav said he neither abused nor insulted any saint.
“I did not abuse anyone. I did not name or insult any saint. For the protection of Sanatan and the faith of the hundred crore people of this country, we are prepared to sacrifice ourselves a hundred thousand times. Register as many cases against us as you want and attack us as much as you like,” he told PTI Videos.
Yadav alleged that Gandhi is not allowed to speak inside Parliament and claimed protesters outside are being suppressed.
“Inside Parliament, our leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi is not even allowed to speak. Outside, they fire at children, tear the clothes of daughters, and suppress every question. Then where are we supposed to raise our voice to protect Sanatan? Where are we supposed to speak?” he said.
