A fierce political storm has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after members of the Rajput outfit, Karni Sena, staged an aggressive demonstration outside the residence of Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman in Agra. The protest, marked by the dramatic presence of a bulldozer, was triggered by Suman’s controversial remarks about Rajput ruler Rana Sanga. The incident has not only escalated tensions between the Rajput community and the Samajwadi Party (SP) but has also drawn reactions from across the political spectrum.
The controversy began when Ramji Lal Suman made a statement in Parliament suggesting that Rana Sanga had invited Mughal emperor Babur to India to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. He further argued that if Indian Muslims are labeled as Babur’s descendants, then by the same logic, other communities could also be seen as descendants of a “traitor” like Rana Sanga. These remarks, which questioned the Rajput legacy, provoked an immediate backlash from Rajput organizations, including the Akhil Bharatiya Kshatriya Mahasabha and the Karni Sena.
The protests against Suman intensified as enraged members of these groups took to the streets, burning effigies and demanding his resignation. On March 21, during a session in the Rajya Sabha, Suman categorically referred to Rana Sanga as a “traitor” while claiming that Hindus were his descendants. This comment further fueled anger among the Rajput community, leading to large-scale demonstrations and confrontations.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) swiftly condemned Suman’s remarks. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat criticized the comparison between Babur and Rana Sanga, asserting that Rana Sanga was a warrior who fought to preserve India's independence and cultural identity. Shekhawat emphasized that portraying the Rajput leader in a negative light was a deliberate attempt to distort history.
While Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav defended Suman, stating that his remarks were rooted in historical facts, his party faced internal divisions. SP MP Virendra Singh publicly distanced himself from Suman’s comments, making it clear that the party did not endorse such views. Singh also reiterated that Rana Sanga was a valiant warrior, further highlighting the internal disagreements within the SP. The controversy has placed the party in a precarious position, forcing it to navigate a complex political landscape where it must balance between its core voter base and the Rajput community’s growing resentment.
The historical debate: Did Rana Sanga invite Babur?
Suman’s claim that Rana Sanga invited Babur to India remains a subject of historical debate. Babur’s memoir, the Baburnama, does mention such an invitation, but only after the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, when Babur was already consolidating his power in India. Many historians argue that Daulat Khan Lodi, the Governor of Punjab, was the one who invited Babur to overthrow Ibrahim Lodi, not Rana Sanga. Some scholars also suggest that Babur, aiming to expand his empire, actively sought alliances with Indian rulers, including Rana Sanga, to strengthen his position against common adversaries.
Rana Sanga’s previous victories against Ibrahim Lodi, including the battles of Khatoli in 1517 and Dholpur in 1518, demonstrate his military capabilities, raising doubts about whether he needed Babur’s intervention. Furthermore, Rana Sanga’s subsequent opposition to Babur, culminating in the decisive Battle of Khanwa in 1527, suggests that any alliance between the two leaders was either non-existent or extremely short-lived. The historical narrative remains inconclusive, as different accounts present varying interpretations of the political dynamics of that period.
Karni Sena’s political role and influence
The Karni Sena, which has taken the lead in protesting against Suman, was formed in 2005 as an organization representing Rajput interests. Initially focused on caste-based reservations, the group later expanded its role by intervening in issues related to Rajput history and culture. It first gained national attention in 2008 when it protested against the Bollywood film Jodhaa Akbar, alleging that it misrepresented Rajput history. In 2017, it became even more prominent through violent protests against the film Padmaavat, claiming that it distorted the story of Queen Padmavati.
In Uttar Pradesh, Karni Sena has had a fluctuating political stance. During the 2024 general elections, Rajputs in western Uttar Pradesh expressed significant resentment towards the BJP over what they perceived as an unfair distribution of party tickets. In a Swabhiman Mahapanchayat held in Muzaffarnagar just before the elections, Rajput leaders openly called for a boycott of BJP candidates, accusing the party of sidelining their community. At the gathering, Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena representatives declared that the BJP would have to face electoral consequences for ignoring Rajput interests. This underlying tension between Rajputs and the BJP adds another layer to the current controversy, as the Karni Sena’s activism continues to shape political equations in the state.
Who is Ramji Lal Suman?
Ramji Lal Suman, the central figure in this controversy, is a veteran leader of the Samajwadi Party. His appointment to the Rajya Sabha last year was a strategic move by Akhilesh Yadav to strengthen the party’s outreach to Dalits. Suman has played a key role in broadening the SP’s support base beyond its traditional Muslim-Yadav combination.
A four-time Lok Sabha MP from Firozabad, Suman has had a long and varied political career. He first entered politics in 1977 as part of the Bharatiya Lok Dal, later joining the Janata Dal, and eventually becoming a key leader in the Samajwadi Party. He has also served as a Union Minister and is known for championing social justice issues. Notably, he introduced a bill advocating for the restoration of Aligarh Muslim University’s minority status.
Political fallout and future implications
The controversy surrounding Suman’s remarks has created a complex political challenge for the Samajwadi Party. While Akhilesh Yadav’s defense of Suman aligns with his party’s ideological stance, the backlash from Rajput groups and the BJP’s condemnation could hurt the SP’s electoral prospects, especially among Rajput voters. The internal disagreements within the SP further weaken its position, as leaders like Virendra Singh attempt to distance the party from Suman’s comments.
For the Karni Sena, this controversy presents an opportunity to strengthen its influence within the Rajput community and assert its political relevance. The group’s aggressive stance signals a shift in Rajput politics, indicating that historical narratives will continue to play a role in shaping electoral strategies in Uttar Pradesh.
With the BJP capitalising on the backlash and the Samajwadi Party struggling to maintain unity, the political fallout from this incident is far from over. As tensions continue to rise, the controversy surrounding Rana Sanga and Ramji Lal Suman may have lasting implications for the upcoming elections and the broader political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
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