Independent Member of Parliament from Purnea, Pappu Yadav, was targeted during a press conference at his official residence in New Delhi on Sunday. The event was disrupted when a man, later identified by police as 34-year-old Sumit from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, hurled a slipper at the lawmaker. The incident sparked a chaotic scuffle between the MP's supporters and the individual, who was eventually detained by authorities. Police are currently investigating the motive behind the confrontation and verifying reports regarding the presence of a weapon at the scene.
The disruption occurred as Mr. Yadav was addressing the media to defend a recent protest staged by opposition members within the Parliament House complex. During that demonstration, Mr. Yadav and other opposition leaders performed a symbolic skit to highlight allegations of financial irregularities and theft regarding donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The skit, in which Mr. Yadav portrayed a temple priest, has drawn significant backlash from various religious organizations and political opponents who argue that the performance insulted Hindu sentiments.
Following the incident, Mr. Yadav alleged that the confrontation was a pre-planned attempt on his life. His team claimed that the assailant was armed with a knife and that the attack was intended to silence his criticism of the temple trust. While police have confirmed the detention of the suspect and are reviewing evidence, they have not yet publicly verified the specific claims regarding the intent to commit murder or the circumstances surrounding the recovery of a knife. The incident has prompted calls for increased security for the parliamentarian, as authorities continue to examine the sequence of events.