{
  "id": 43732,
  "title": "'Ready to face death': Pappu Yadav unfazed by FIR over Ram Temple 'skit'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/ready-to-face-death-pappu-yadav-unfazed-by-fir-over-ram-temple-skit",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-02T11:42:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ready-to-face-death-pappu-yadav-defiant-after-fir-over-ram-temple-donation-theft-skit/articleshow/132805584.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NEW DELHI: Independent MP Pappu Yadav, whose real name is Rajesh Ranjan, defiantly expressed his willingness to face death on Sunday after Varanasi Police registered a case against him, along with opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Awadhesh Prasad, over a Parliament skit that depicted the theft of donations from the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Known for his strong stance on preserving people's faith, Pappu Yadav stated that if he has to die to protect the faith of Sanatan and India, he is ready to do so. He questioned the validity of an FIR against him, asking why leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were never afraid of facing legal action. The controversy stems from a demonstration held the previous day, where Pappu Yadav, dressed in saffron robes as a temple priest, along with other opposition MPs, staged a skit involving a donation box and allegations of corruption. The opposition leaders played the roles of devotees placing donations, while a Samajwadi Party MP, in a scripted segment, confronted the priest for allegedly stealing the money, leading to formal complaints from BJP leaders accusing them of hurting Hindu religious sentiments.",
  "summary": "Pappu Yadav remains defiant after police filed a case against him and other opposition leaders. The FIR stems from a Parliament skit which depicted alleged theft of Ram Temple donations. Yadav stated he is ready to face death to protect people's faith and religious sentiments. Varanasi Police registered the case following a complaint by a religious leader. Another complaint was filed against the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "MP Pappu Yadav attacked at home during presser",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/mp-pappu-yadav-attacked-at-home-during-presser",
        "published": "2026-08-03T00:22:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}