Samajwadi Party MP Ramji Lal Suman Calls Rana Sanga 'Traitor', BJP Slams

Samajwadi Party leader Ramji Lal Suman's recent comments in Parliament have stirred significant controversy. He labelled the 16th-century Rajput king, Rana Sanga, as a "traitor." This statement has sparked outrage among Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who view it as an affront to the Rajput community and India's historical legacy.

Suman's remarks came during a debate on the Home Ministry. He was responding to BJP's assertions regarding the ancestry of Indian Muslims. Suman stated, "BJP leaders often claim that Muslims have the DNA of Babur. But Indian Muslims do not consider Babur their ideal. In fact, who brought Babur to India? It was Rana Sanga who invited him to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. By that logic, if you claim Muslims are the descendants of Babur, then you are also the descendants of Rana Sanga-a traitor. We criticise Babur, but not Rana Sanga."

Political Reactions and Demands for Apology

The BJP reacted strongly to these comments. Former MP Sanjeev Balyan expressed his disapproval on social media, stating that calling Rana Sanga a traitor is a severe insult to both the Rajput community and Hindu society at large. He demanded an apology from the Samajwadi Party for what he termed as crossing all limits of appeasement.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari linked Suman's remarks to attempts at glorifying controversial historical figures like Aurangzeb. He emphasised that such individuals should be identified and criticised for being enemies of the country. Tiwari clarified that they have never claimed Muslims are descendants of Babur and affirmed that Indian Muslims are part of their own community.

Historical Context and Legacy

Rana Sanga belonged to the Sisodia dynasty and ruled Mewar from 1508 until 1528. He is celebrated for uniting Rajput clans against the Delhi Sultanate's expansion. His reign covered regions in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh with Chittor as his capital.

Babur, known as a descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur, invaded India in 1526. His victory over Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat marked the beginning of Mughal rule in India.

Criticism from BJP Leaders

BJP MP PP Chaudhary also condemned Suman's comments as unacceptable. He argued that such statements insult India's history when made in Parliament, which he described as a sacred temple of democracy.