Opposition stages “Chanda Chori” dramatisation in new Parliament precincts, video goes viral
REPORTED BY SUNIL NEGI
A highly unusual protest unfolded in the precincts of the new Parliament House today when MPs from a majority of constituents of the INDIA bloc staged a street-theatre style demonstration centered on allegations of donation misuse linked to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The centerpiece of the protest was Bihar MP Pappu Yadav, who appeared in saffron attire and sat on the floor with a donation box, enacting the role of a “saint” collecting chanda “in the name of Ram Temple.” Behind him, a large banner was held up by other opposition MPs. As the act progressed, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and several Samajwadi Party leaders wearing red caps were seen approaching, handing over currency notes. The money was then shown being put into a pocket by the saffron-clad MP.
The MPs standing behind the banner raised loud slogans of “Chanda Chor, Chanda Chor,” turning the spot into what participants called a symbolic indictment of alleged financial irregularities in temple donations. In one part of the enactment, the “saint” was shown touching the feet of a Samajwadi MP before suddenly running away with the donation box, a gesture meant to mirror accusations of theft and diversion of funds.
The entire sequence was captured on mobile phones and the video spread rapidly across social media platforms within hours, drawing sharp reactions and memes from both supporters and critics. Opposition leaders present said this was the first time such a dramatised protest had been held inside Parliament premises, and that it was intended to draw public attention to what they call the government’s failure to ensure transparency in collections made in the name of the Ram Temple.
It may be recalled that the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was built following a nationwide donation drive by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust after the Supreme Court verdict of 2019. The trust had appealed to people across the country to contribute voluntarily for the construction. Over the last two years, several opposition leaders and civil society voices have raised questions in Parliament and in the media about accounting, auditing and alleged misuse of funds collected during the drive. The Trust has consistently maintained that all donations are properly accounted for and audited, and that construction is being carried out with full transparency.
The INDIA bloc has been raising the issue repeatedly in both Houses, demanding a white paper and an independent audit of the donations. They argue that faith and public money should not be used for political messaging without accountability.
Today’s protest was an attempt to take that argument outside the well of the House and into the public eye through symbolism. Along with Congress and Samajwadi Party MPs, leaders from other INDIA constituents were also present behind the banner during the sloganeering.
The government and BJP MPs did not immediately respond on the floor, but party spokespersons later called the protest “in poor taste” and said it hurt religious sentiments.
Whether one views it as political theatre or as an affront, the act has certainly succeeded in one thing: the “Chanda Chor” video is now among the most-shared clips from Parliament this week, and it has once again put the debate over Ram Temple donations back in the headlines.
