New Delhi, July 31, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Opposition Members of Parliament on Friday staged a symbolic protest in the Parliament complex over alleged irregularities in donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, while also questioning the absence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from the House.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Independent MP from Purnia Pappu Yadav were among those who participated in the demonstration.
Pappu Yadav arrived wearing saffron attire and carried a donation box as part of a street play-style protest highlighting allegations of financial irregularities linked to donations made to the Ram Temple. During the demonstration, Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi and other Opposition leaders symbolically placed contributions into the box.
Addressing reporters, Pappu Yadav accused those allegedly responsible for misusing funds collected in the name of Lord Ram and raised slogans during the protest.
Samajwadi Party MP Dharmendra Yadav said the protest was intended to draw attention to allegations that devotees who made donations were not issued receipts and that CCTV footage connected to the matter had allegedly been deleted. He demanded a discussion on the issue in Parliament and called for an investigation into the alleged financial irregularities.
The protesting MPs also displayed a banner reading, “Amit Shah Sansad Se Gayab Kyun?” (Why is Amit Shah absent from Parliament?).
The protest comes days after the Uttar Pradesh government, on July 26, reconstituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of irregularities in donations and offerings made at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The issue has also gained political attention following the appointment of IIT Bombay alumnus Jagdish Aphale as the first secretary of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. Aphale has reportedly also been designated as a joint signatory for the Trust’s financial transactions.
Opposition leaders questioned whether the new appointment would strengthen financial oversight and prevent future irregularities. Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ashutosh Verma sought clarity on the safeguards being introduced and also questioned why no FIR had been registered against Trust General Secretary Champat Rai.
Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai alleged corruption in the management of the Trust and demanded its reconstitution under the guidance of prominent seers, including the Shankaracharyas. He also called for the inclusion of representatives from Ayodhya in the Trust, citing their longstanding association with the temple.
The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has not publicly responded to the allegations mentioned by Opposition leaders.
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