Two Detained After Slipper Hurled at MP Pappu Yadav During Delhi Press Conference

Two men were detained by police on Sunday after a man allegedly hurled a slipper at Independent MP Pappu Yadav during a press conference at the lawmaker's Delhi residence. The incident occurred while Yadav was addressing the media regarding a protest skit he performed in Parliament concerning alleged theft of donations at Ayodhya's Ram Temple. According to police sources, the primary suspect was identified as Sumit, a resident of Bulandshahr, while a second man, Happy Sharma, was detained after being found in a car outside the residence.

Chaos erupted during the event when a man standing among journalists began arguing with Yadav about religious sentiments before throwing the footwear. Yadav's supporters overpowered the man and assaulted him before handing him over to security personnel. Yadav and his associates alleged that the attacker was also carrying a knife, a claim that police stated they are currently verifying. Yadav described the event as a pre planned attempt on his life, claiming that bounties had been placed on him by right wing groups.

Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Pawan Khera, criticized the Delhi Police for a security failure, noting that the MP's team had previously informed authorities of threats. Conversely, Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC condemned the attack but suggested that Yadav's provocative statements regarding religious beliefs could attract such reactions.

The incident follows a legal backlash over a skit performed by Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, and Awadhesh Prasad. In that protest, Yadav dressed in saffron and slipped money into his pockets to symbolize embezzlement. Consequently, an FIR was registered in Varanasi against the three leaders for allegedly insulting Sanatan Dharma, and separate complaints were filed in Delhi by BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and other leaders.