Gujarat saints seek action against Pappu Yadav over Parliament protest, plan wider agitation

Ahmedabad, Aug 4 (IANS) Hindu saints under the banner of the Sanatan Sant Samaj on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Ahmedabad District Collector Bhavya Verma demanding legal action against Independent MP Pappu Yadav and the cancellation of his parliamentary membership, alleging that a protest staged in the Parliament complex insulted Sanatan Dharma, saffron robes and the saint community.

The delegation said similar memorandums were being submitted across Gujarat as part of a nationwide campaign.

The memorandum is intended to be forwarded to the President Droupadi Murmu through the district administration, while the organisation also announced plans to submit a representation to the Governor Acharya Devvrat and launch further protests if its demands are not addressed.

The protest follows a demonstration in the Parliament complex on July 31 in which Pappu Yadav, dressed in saffron robes, enacted a symbolic skit over alleged embezzlement of donations made at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, participated by placing money into donation boxes while Yadav, portraying a priest, put money into his pockets to symbolise the alleged theft.

The demonstration was part of the Opposition's demand for a discussion in Parliament on the alleged donation theft.

The Lok Sabha Secretariat subsequently indicated that costume-based protests and theatrical demonstrations would not be permitted inside the Parliament complex. Addressing the media outside the Collector's office, one of the saints said the Parliament protest had deeply hurt religious sentiments.

"All saints and mahants from across Gujarat are present here today. The act committed in Parliament has hurt religious faith. It is highly condemnable and has brought disgrace to the saint community. Most importantly, it concerns the faith associated with Lord Ram. We have come together to submit a memorandum demanding that the MP's membership be cancelled and that immediate and the strictest possible action be taken," he said.

He added that the organisation would continue its campaign if required. "If necessary, after submitting the memorandum to the Collector, we will also submit one to the Governor and ensure that our concerns reach the President. As the saying goes, 'Dharma protects those who protect it.' We demand that the government take prompt action to protect Sanatan Dharma," he said.

Another speaker alleged that Pappu Yadav had "worn the attire of a fake saint" and claimed the protest had been carried out with the support of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

"He brought disgrace to the saintly order. I believe this act is highly condemnable. I will continue to fight until Pappu Yadav is expelled from Parliament and prevented from contesting elections again," he said.

Referring to the alleged donation theft case in Ayodhya, he said the saint community itself was pained by the allegations but distinguished the alleged criminal case from the Parliament protest.

"Whatever happened in Ayodhya has caused us immense pain, just as it has every Hindu. We saints fought for Ayodhya and led that movement for years. However, if an employee commits theft in a jewellery shop, no case is filed against the owner because the employee is responsible. Those accused have already been jailed and a Special Investigation Team is investigating the matter," he noted.

He further alleged that "people like Pappu Yadav are insulting Sanatan Dharma merely to pursue political interests. The saffron robe is the colour of our faith and our identity."

The Sanatan Sant Samaj said memorandums would be submitted in districts across Gujarat requesting that the Centre take legal action against those involved in the Parliament protest.

The organisation also said it would seek an appointment with the Governor and, if necessary, organise further demonstrations, including the burning of effigies, while announcing additional programmes in the coming days.

--IANS

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