The Samajwadi Party (SP) has expressed displeasure over independent MP Pappu Yadav’s playacting as a saffron-clad seer in an impromptu skit staged by INDIA bloc members in Parliament on Friday (July 31, 2026), which has drawn criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and led to police complaints against Opposition leaders.

According to sources, at the daily morning meeting held at Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge’s office in Parliament, SP leader Dharmendra Yadav raised the issue. He expressed concern that the skit was a misstep in what has so far been a successful campaign highlighting the alleged corruption in the Ram Temple donation scam. Such acts, he argued, risked being seen as mocking devotees and could backfire.

Sources said Mr. Pappu Yadav came dressed in saffron and brought Lord Ram’s photograph without consulting the other leaders. The skit was not preplanned and was enacted on the spur of the moment. SP leaders, though, have been carrying steel donation boxes to the morning protest.

Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav spoke to reporters on the issue. “It was wrong because the saints had nothing to do with the theft that took place in the Ram Temple. It was basically an incorrect act and it should not have happened,” he said.

Mr. Yadav said the Opposition would continue to raise the Ram Temple donations case because it concerns crores of people in India and abroad who contributed for the construction of the temple.

Speaking to reporters after conveying his party’s views at the INDIA bloc meeting, Mr. Dharmendra said the BJP was trying to “dilute and deflect” attention from the Ram Temple donation scam by focusing on the Opposition protest.

“If a police case is being filed against Pappu Yadav, then why not one against BJP’s national president Nitin Nabin, who made Hanuman ji dance in front of him,” he asked.

Mr. Dharmendra was referring to a procession organised by the BJP in Lucknow last month to welcome Mr. Nabin, during which a performer dressed as Hanuman and carrying a party flag danced in front of the chariot carrying the BJP leader.

The Congress maintained a studied silence, refusing to engage with criticism of the skit.

Mr. Pappu Yadav defended his actions, accusing the government of double standards. “You can abuse Nehru, Indira Gandhi, or Mulayam Singh in the House. You can abuse whomever you please; that is fine. You can prevent the Leader of the Opposition from speaking in the House; that is fine. But when someone protests in a dignified manner outside the House, where does the question of ‘privilege’ arise? If the Speaker asks, I will certainly present my case. I have also written a letter to the Speaker,” he said.

BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal has submitted a notice of breach of privilege and contempt of the House to the Lok Sabha Speaker against Mr. Pappu Yadav.

Published - August 03, 2026 08:43 pm IST