Slipper Hurled at Pappu Yadav During Ram Temple Row, MP Calls It 'Plot to Kill Me'

Independent MP Pappu Yadav was targeted with a slipper during a press conference at his New Delhi residence on Sunday while defending the opposition's controversial Parliament skit alleging theft of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The incident sparked a scuffle between Yadav's supporters and the alleged attacker, while police later detained those involved and launched an investigation.

The disruption occurred as Yadav was responding to criticism over the Parliament protest staged on Friday. A man interrupted the press conference, accused the Purnia MP of insulting Lord Ram, shouted slogans and hurled a slipper at him before being overpowered by Yadav's supporters. The confrontation quickly escalated into a brief scuffle before police intervened.

Yadav later described the incident as a "plot to kill me", alleging that the assailants had arrived with the intention of attacking him. He claimed one of the men was carrying a knife and questioned how such individuals managed to enter his residence despite security arrangements. Police subsequently recovered a knife from one of the detained men and are investigating whether the attack was premeditated.

According to police, the slipper was allegedly thrown by Sumit (34), a native of Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, who works in an iron fabrication business in Ghaziabad and has no previous criminal record. Another man, identified as Happy, was found waiting in an SUV outside Yadav's residence and is also being questioned as investigators verify the duo's claims and establish the motive behind the incident.

The controversy stems from a protest staged by Yadav alongside Rahul Gandhi, Awadhesh Prasad and other opposition MPs at the Makar Dwar in Parliament. During the symbolic skit, lawmakers placed money into donation boxes while Yadav slipped currency into his pocket to portray the opposition's allegation of embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple.

The protest drew sharp criticism from the BJP and Hindu organisations. An FIR was registered in Varanasi against Yadav, Rahul Gandhi and Awadhesh Prasad on a complaint by seers alleging that they hurt religious sentiments. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and other party leaders also lodged a police complaint in Delhi, while the Vishva Hindu Parishad accused the opposition leaders of insulting Sanatan Dharma.