Prayagraj court summons Pappu Yadav over Parliament skit insulting Sanatan Dharma

A court in Prayagraj has issued a notice to Independent MP Pappu Yadav over a criminal complaint filed by a BJP functionary, alleging his role in a controversial skit in the Parliament complex insulted Sanatan Dharma. The MP must appear on August 11. The complaint, filed by advocate Sushil Kumar Mishra, was heard by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Yogesh Jain, who found a prima facie case and issued notice under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case concerns alleged hurting of religious sentiments during a July 31 opposition protest. The skit, staged at Makar Dwar, saw Yadav dressed as a sadhu portraying a temple priest pocketing donations, linked to the Ram temple donation theft controversy. The enactment drew criticism from Hindu religious leaders and organisations.