Ramji Lal Suman Defends 'Traitor' Claim Against Rana Sanga; Indian Muslims' View on Babur

Agra, March 22 (NationPress) Senior Samajwadi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Ramji Lal Suman, on Saturday defended his remarks labeling 16th-century Rajput king Rana Sanga a 'traitor', asserting that his statement was grounded in historical facts documented in Baburnama, the memoir of Mughal emperor Babur. He also emphasized that Muslims in India do not regard Babur as their leader.

His comments, delivered during a speech in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, have elicited sharp criticism from various political factions.

Suman made the contentious remark while addressing the BJP's frequent assertions regarding the historical lineage of Indian Muslims. Engaging in a discussion about the Home Ministry's operations, he referenced Rana Sanga's role in inviting Babur to India, which he asserted resulted in the establishment of Mughal rule, dubbing the Rajput ruler a 'traitor'.

In an interview with IANS, Suman reiterated his statement, asserting, 'It is a historical fact. Nowadays, it has become common to claim that Indian Muslims have the DNA of Babur. But the reality is that the Muslims of India do not view Babur as their leader. Babur did not arrive with a religious mission; he came with a sword. The ideals of Indian Muslims are deeply rooted in the traditions of Sufi saints.'

'I pointed out in Rajya Sabha that it's easy to label Babur a foreign invader, but who invited him? Historical documents, including Baburnama, indicate that Rana Sanga invited Babur to challenge Ibrahim Lodi. Eventually, circumstances shifted, and Rana Sanga himself opposed Babur at the Battle of Khanwa,' he further elaborated.

Suman dismissed the backlash from Opposition parties, stating, 'I don't care whether people approve or disapprove. I merely stated the truth. The critical issue I raised was how the BJP is undermining the Ganga-Jamuni culture of our nation.'

'There have been calls for Muslims to refrain from celebrating Holi or to remain indoors during festivals. In my village and many others, everyone, including Muslims, celebrates Holi together. Some individuals repeatedly urge others to leave the country, but this nation belongs to everyone—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians alike.'

During his Rajya Sabha address, Suman stated, 'Indian Muslims do not regard Babur as their ideal. But who introduced Babur to India? It was Rana Sanga who summoned him to vanquish Ibrahim Lodi. If you assert that Muslims are descendants of Babur, then you must also recognize that you are descendants of Rana Sanga, a traitor. We criticize Babur, yet not Rana Sanga.'

His comments have ignited strong reactions, with the BJP labeling them a 'disgraceful act' and demanding an apology from the Samajwadi Party.