Slipper thrown at MP Pappu Yadav during press conference over Ram temple protest
Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav faced an incident of a slipper being thrown at him during a press conference at his residence on Sunday (August 2, 2026). The attack occurred while he was defending a protest skit performed inside the Parliament House complex concerning alleged misappropriation of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
According to eyewitnesses, a man in the audience questioned Mr. Yadav over his actions and accused him of insulting Lord Ram. The individual then threw a slipper at the MP, leading to a scuffle between Mr. Yadav's supporters and the attacker. The situation was brought under control, and the man was handed over to police.
The incident took place against the backdrop of an FIR filed in Varanasi against Mr. Yadav, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad (Ayodhya) Awadhesh Prasad. The case was registered on a complaint by seers, alleging that the Parliament protest hurt religious sentiments.
Police sources identified the alleged attacker as Sumit, a 34-year-old resident of Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, who runs an iron fabrication business in Ghaziabad. Sources said he has no previous criminal record. Investigators are also examining a person named Happy, who was present in an SUV parked outside Mr. Yadav's residence at the time of the incident. Both individuals are being questioned, and the motive behind the attack is under investigation.
Following the incident, Mr. Yadav alleged that it was an attempt on his life. He stated that he and other Opposition MPs were protesting to protect Sanatan Dharma and said they would not be cowed down by any number of FIRs.
The controversy stems from a protest staged on Friday (July 31, 2026) in the Parliament House complex. Several Opposition MPs, including Mr. Yadav and Mr. Gandhi, gathered in front of the Makar Dwar and performed a skit. They placed money into donation boxes and then Mr. Yadav slipped some notes into his pockets, a symbolic gesture to highlight alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the protest, with leaders accusing Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Yadav of hurting Hindu sentiments. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and other leaders also filed a police complaint in Delhi. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, similarly criticised the leaders, alleging that they had insulted Sanatan Dharma through their actions.
In his defence, Mr. Yadav maintained that the protest was a peaceful demonstration against corruption and misappropriation of funds at the Ram temple. He asserted that questioning financial irregularities at a religious institution does not amount to an insult to faith. He also reiterated his commitment to continuing the protest despite legal challenges and threats.
Authorities have registered the necessary legal paperwork and are investigating both the original FIR and the attack on Mr. Yadav. Police are working to establish any possible links between the attacker and larger groups, though no such connections have been confirmed so far.
The incident has sparked a debate about the limits of political protest and the safety of lawmakers. While some have criticised the Opposition MPs for their choice of symbolism, others have condemned the physical attack on Mr. Yadav as an affront to democratic discourse. Police have assured that all aspects of the case will be examined impartially.
