New Delhi, 31 July (H.S.): The All India Sant Samiti has strongly reacted to independent MP Pappu Yadav’s protest in the Parliament complex on Friday, during which he wore saffron attire and appeared in the guise of a priest.

National General Secretary of the Samiti, Swami Jitendranand Saraswati, termed the act an insult to Sanatan Dharma and the penance and traditions of saints. He demanded that President Droupadi Murmu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla immediately cancel Pappu Yadav’s membership of Parliament.

He alleged that the Parliament premises, which he described as a sacred place, were used to hurt the sentiments of the Sanatan community and the majority Hindu society. Saraswati said Pappu Yadav should tender an unconditional apology to Hindus across the country, failing which he should be removed from Parliament.

The Samiti’s general secretary alleged that the entire episode had the support of the Congress party, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. He accused Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and their MP Pappu Yadav of misusing the Parliament premises and insulting Sanatan traditions by wearing saffron attire.

He said such actions would not be tolerated. On the issue of the Ram Temple, he added that saints in Ayodhya had already responded and those found guilty would face action as decided by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Supreme Court.

Saraswati said political battles could be fought with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but using such disputes as a means to malign Sanatan Hindu Dharma and the sacrifices and spiritual practices of saints would not be accepted by the All India Sant Samiti.

He stated that Parliament is a sacred institution established under the Constitution and alleged that if leaders like Pappu Yadav use its premises to hurt, insult or target the sentiments of the Hindu community, it would be strongly opposed.

The Sant Samiti warned that saints and religious leaders across the world stand united against attempts to undermine Sanatan traditions and said those who disrespect the country’s faith and cultural identity would face a strong response.

It may be noted that on the 12th day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Friday, Opposition MPs staged a protest over alleged irregularities in donations collected at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. During the demonstration, MP Pappu Yadav sat in the Parliament complex dressed as a priest in a symbolic protest.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar