By The Sampadak Express
A remark made by Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Ramji Lal Suman in Parliament has sparked a political firestorm, with sharp reactions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The controversy erupted during a discussion on the Home Ministry when Suman referred to 16th-century Rajput king Rana Sanga as a “traitor,” which has since drawn widespread condemnation.
Suman’s comments were made while he was addressing BJP leaders’ claims regarding the historical legacy of Indian Muslims. He said, “BJP leaders often argue that Muslims have the DNA of Babur. But Indian Muslims do not regard Babur as their hero. In fact, it was Rana Sanga who invited Babur to India to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. By that logic, if you claim Muslims are the descendants of Babur, then you too are the descendants of Rana Sanga—a traitor. We criticise Babur, but not Rana Sanga.”
The statement quickly provoked a strong backlash from BJP leaders, who denounced it as an insult to the Rajput community and to Hindu history. Former BJP MP Sanjeev Balyan condemned Suman’s remarks on social media, calling them a “grave insult” to the Rajput community. “Shame on you for crossing all limits of appeasement. Calling the great warrior Rana Sanga a traitor in Parliament is deeply disrespectful to the Rajput community and Hindu society at large,” Balyan wrote, sharing a video clip of Suman’s speech. He further demanded an apology from the Samajwadi Party.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari took to the debate, accusing some individuals of trying to glorify controversial historical figures. “Some people are attempting to turn Aurangzeb into a hero. Such figures should be identified. He was an enemy of the country. We’ve never claimed that Muslims are descendants of Babur. The Muslims of this country are part of our society,” Tiwari stated.
Another BJP MP, PP Chaudhary, called Suman’s comments “unacceptable,” emphasizing that such remarks in the “sacred temple of democracy” were highly condemnable. “The Samajwadi Party MP’s comments about Mewar’s brave warrior insult our history and heritage,” Chaudhary said.
Rana Sanga, a prominent Rajput ruler from the Sisodia dynasty, ruled Mewar from 1508 to 1528. Known for his role in uniting various Rajput clans against the growing Delhi Sultanate, Sanga’s reign spanned parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh, with his capital in Chittor. Meanwhile, Babur, a descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur, invaded India in 1526, defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat and establishing the Mughal Empire.
The controversy highlights the ongoing political tensions over historical narratives and the portrayal of key figures in Indian history.
