Agra: Senior Samajwadi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Ramji Lal Suman, brought on a huge political storm by his statements regarding the 16th-century Rajput kshatriya Rana Sanga and the Mughal emperor Babur.
In a speech in Rajya Sabha on Friday, Suman directly referred to Rana Sanga as a "traitor," as he invited the Mughal emperor to India, resulting in the creation of the Mughal rule, according to him. "Indian Muslims do not consider Babur their leader," Suman contended, fueling major reactions from various political parties.
In his defense statement, Suman claimed that he stood by his claim, which is based on facts, especially historical records made in Baburnama, the memoir of Babur himself. He clarified that the story shows Rana Sanga waiting for Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi, but they became foes later when they met at the Battle of Khanwa. Suman derived that for one, Indian Muslims are continuously claiming that they are the descendants of Babur, but the reality is that they regard Sufi saints as their spiritual leaders, not Babur, who came wielding a sword and perpetrating violence and not as a religious mission.
"Let them say anything; there is no problem on my side," Suman said. "I am only stating the historical fact." He also emphasized his concern over what he perceives as the BJP's efforts to demystify the Ganga-Jamuni culture of India and force divisions between communities. He highlighted how Muslims, in many parts of India, celebrate festivals like Holi together with Hindus, contrary to calls for separation.
His remarks, especially during the discussion on the Ministry of Home Affairs' function, have thrown the spotlight on the raging political and cultural controversies surrounding historical figures in India and their legacies.
[ Source Credit: NDTV]
