Opposition enacts Ram Temple theft in Parliament, BJP seeks action

Parliament’s courtyard turned into a makeshift theatre on Friday (July 31, 2026) morning as Opposition MPs enacted a skit on the alleged theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Independent MP Pappu Yadav, clad in saffron robes, played the role of a “priest” who pocketed donations, while other MPs, including Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, lined up as devotees. The performance ended with a mock scuffle between the “priest” and the “devotees”.

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The BJP objected to the protest, calling it “disgraceful”. Its MP Sakshi Maharaj urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to take action against MPs who participated in the demonstration.

All INDIA bloc MPs stood in a large semicircle holding a giant banner in Hindi that read, “Amit Shah Sansad se gayab kyun hai” (Why is Home Minister Amit Shah missing from Parliament?), which served as the backdrop for the skit. Slogans demanding the resignation of the Union Home Minister were the opening score of the performance. The Opposition has been demanding a statement from Mr. Shah on the police action against protesters at Jantar Mantar on July 20.

The slogans soon gave way to chants about the alleged Ram Temple donation theft. MPs placed steel donation boxes resembling those found in temples in front of Makar Dwar, the main entrance to Parliament. Mr. Yadav sat behind the boxes.

'Fellow Opposition MPs played devotees, stepping forward to place donations in a collection box. Mr. Yadav, portraying a dishonest priest, slipped the money into his pocket instead of depositing it in the box. On cue, a few Samajwadi Party MPs staged a mock confrontation with the ‘priest’, demanding an explanation for pocketing the donations.

According to a senior Opposition leader, it was decided on Thursday night that the Opposition should get “creative” with its protests and raise the issue both inside and outside Parliament. Inside both Houses, Opposition parties stepped up their demand for a debate on the alleged theft.

Sakshi Maharaj said the Opposition had no real connection with Lord Ram. “These are the very people who used to claim that not even a bird could flutter its wings there and that not a single brick could be laid for the temple in Ayodhya. Today, a disgraceful protest took place,” he said.

He alleged that the Opposition had insulted both the saffron colour and the Sanatan tradition. “Such behaviour deserves the strongest possible condemnation. I urge the Lok Sabha Speaker to take serious note of the insults directed towards the Sanatan tradition, our culture, Lord Ram and the saints. We must avoid a situation where the saints of the country are compelled to launch an agitation,” he said.