Lucknow: Tensions flared in Uttar Pradesh after members of the Karni Sena allegedly vandalized the residence of Samajwadi Party (SP) Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman. The attack, which took place in Lucknow, was met with strong resistance from SP leaders and workers, who staged protests across the state on Thursday.
The incident follows a controversy surrounding remarks made by Mr. Suman about Rajput king Rana Sanga. The Karni Sena, a Rajput organization, accused the MP of insulting their historical icon and demanded an apology. However, Mr. Suman remained firm, stating, “I will not apologise in this life, I do not know about the next life. They need to learn to accept the truth. Babur was invited by Rana Sanga to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. He had the misconception that Babur is a robber and that he will go back, and we will rule.”
Reacting strongly to the vandalism, the SP linked the attack to caste discrimination and accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating it. “This incident shows a feudal mindset. If Ramji Lal Suman belonged to another caste, would such forces dare to attack him? This was not just an attack on an individual but on the entire PDA (Pichda, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak) community,” said SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav. He warned that if strict action was not taken, the party would organize statewide protests after Eid.
Senior SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav also criticized the BJP government, stating, “The attack took place at the direction of the BJP. They indulge in the politics of appeasement and have always been anti-Dalit.”
Meanwhile, Rajput groups held counter-protests in several parts of Uttar Pradesh. Effigies of Mr. Suman were burned as Karni Sena activists demanded an FIR against him and the cancellation of his Rajya Sabha membership. “No one has the right to disrespect our idol, who is a brave son of the soil,” said Narayan Singh, a Karni Sena activist from Shahjahanpur.
The BJP distanced itself from the attack but accused the SP of fueling caste tensions for political gain. “This seems like a well-planned strategy by the SP to polarize society. Just a few days ago, an SP leader in Maharashtra praised Aurangzeb, and now an SP MP insults a Rajput icon. The party is trying to create caste-based divisions for electoral benefits,” said BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi. He, however, condemned violence from both sides and assured that legal action would be taken as per the law.
In response to the violent turn of events, the Agra police filed an FIR against unknown individuals, charging them under sections related to rioting, attempt to murder, robbery, and house trespass as per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Officials assured a thorough investigation into the matter.
