Rajya Sabha Erupts Over SP MP Ramji Lal Suman’s Remarks on Rana Sanga, Sparks Political Outrage

The Rajya Sabha erupted in chaos on Friday as both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress condemned controversial remarks made by Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ramji Lal Suman about Rajput king Rana Sanga.

The rare political consensus led to heated protests and forced the House to adjourn for 30 minutes. Suman’s statement, which labeled Rana Sanga a “traitor” for allegedly seeking help from Mughal emperor Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi in the 16th century, has sparked widespread outrage across party lines.

Suman’s Controversial Statement on Rana Sanga

Ramji Lal Suman’s remarks have caused a major political storm. He accused Rana Sanga of inviting Babur to defeat Ibrahim Lodi, which he claimed amounted to an act of betrayal.

The statement angered both the ruling BJP and opposition leaders, including those from the INDIA alliance. Despite facing severe backlash, Suman has stood by his comments and refused to apologise.

“I will not apologise in this life, I do not know about the next life,” Suman said defiantly on Thursday, a day after his residence was allegedly attacked by members of the Karni Sena.

The attack came after Suman’s comments surfaced, fueling anger among Rajput groups and political leaders.

Ravi Shankar Prasad Condemns Suman’s Remarks

During Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed the issue, strongly condemning Suman’s remarks. He underscored the historical importance of Rana Sanga and stressed that such statements would not be tolerated.

“I condemn the remarks made against Rana Sanga. Hindustan will not tolerate insult to legendary leaders like Shivaji and Rana Sanga,” Prasad stated.

Rana Sanga, who ruled Mewar from 1508 to 1528, is revered in Indian history for his resistance against foreign invasions. Prasad’s remarks highlighted the deep historical and cultural significance of Rana Sanga’s legacy.

Rajya Sabha Erupts in Protest

Following Suman’s comments, BJP MPs staged protests in the Rajya Sabha, shouting slogans and demanding an apology. The protests intensified, forcing the House to adjourn for 30 minutes.

Dr. Radha Mohan Das Agarwal from the BJP declared that the issue would not be settled until Congress and Suman issued a public apology.

“We will not compromise on this issue until Congress and Ramji Suman ji apologise,” Agarwal said.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar intervened, describing Rana Sanga as a national hero who fought valiantly to protect Indian sovereignty. He condemned Suman’s remarks as “highly disparaging and objectionable” and urged MPs to maintain decorum while discussing sensitive issues.

“Sentiments of people are very precious; dignity, security, and prestige of a Member of the House is equally important,” Dhankhar remarked.

BJP vs Congress Over the Issue

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju condemned Suman’s statement, calling it an insult to a national hero. Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge defended Suman’s right to express his views but condemned the attack on his house.

“None have the right to take law and order in their hands and break into an MP’s house and resort to vandalism,” Kharge said. He called the attack an “anti-Dalit action” and warned that such incidents would not be tolerated.

Kharge’s remarks provoked a sharp response from Rijiju, who rejected any caste-based narrative.

“This is not a caste or religious issue,” Rijiju said. Union Minister Piyush Goyal also criticized Kharge, accusing him of giving the controversy a caste twist to shield Suman from criticism.

Suman Remains Defiant

Despite the mounting pressure, Suman has remained unapologetic. He reiterated that his statement was rooted in historical facts and refused to back down.

“I will not apologise in this life, I do not know about the next life,” Suman said defiantly. His comments have deepened political tensions and fueled public anger.

Attack on Suman’s Residence

On Wednesday, members of the Karni Sena, a Rajput caste-based group, allegedly attacked Suman’s residence in Agra. The mob vandalized his house and damaged several cars parked outside.

The attack highlighted the intense reaction Suman’s remarks have provoked among Rajput groups and the broader public.

Chairman Dhankhar’s Call for Restraint

Chairman Dhankhar emphasized the need for moderation and restraint in parliamentary debates, especially on sensitive historical issues.

He noted that while Suman’s comments had been expunged from the House records, they had already spread widely through social media.

“If we as members of this House express in the manner we are doing, irrespective of gravity or enormity of the situation, then we are not contributing to evolution of peace in society,” Dhankhar stated. He urged MPs to avoid inflammatory language and uphold the dignity of the House.

Dhankhar revealed that the Ethics Committee, led by BJP MP Ghanshyam Tiwari, had been tasked with developing a code of conduct to prevent such incidents in the future.

Political Fallout and Continuing Tensions

The BJP has continued to pressure Suman for a public apology. BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agarwal accused the Samajwadi Party of failing to rein in Suman and demanded accountability.

Congress President Kharge maintained that while Suman’s comments were regrettable, the attack on his house was unjustifiable.

“If there is a difference of opinion, it does not mean one should resort to arson, attacks on children, or bulldozing homes. The Constitution does not permit this,” Kharge said.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju insisted that Suman’s remarks constituted an insult to the nation and that an apology was necessary.

“If a national hero is insulted, the issue is not limited to Ramji Lal Suman alone. Even though his remarks were removed from the records, they remain on social media. Such language is unacceptable,” Rijiju said.