The residence of Samajwadi Party (SP) Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman in Agra was allegedly attacked on Wednesday by Karni Sena workers, following controversy over his recent remarks on Rana Sanga in Parliament.
According to reports, a large group of Karni Sena activists gathered at Etmadpur crossing around 10 a.m. before marching towards Suman’s house in the Hariparwat locality. By noon, over a thousand members reportedly arrived with a bulldozer, chanting slogans like “Jai Shri Ram” and pelting stones. Several police personnel sustained injuries in the confrontation.
The mob vandalized at least ten vehicles parked outside the residence, smashed the house’s gate, and ransacked outdoor furniture. Despite resistance from the police, they attempted to storm the premises. Videos from the scene showed law enforcement struggling to contain the violence.
At the time of the attack, Suman was in Delhi attending a parliamentary session. Notably, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present in Agra for a separate event, held not far from the MP’s residence.
In the meantime, to quell to protests and disperse the protestors, the district police personnel had to use a mild lathi charge on the crowd. Some of the protestors were arrested as well.
“After dispersing the protesting crowd, additional police force has been deployed in the nearby areas to ensure peace. A few arrests have been made, but they will be released soon,” said Alok Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO) of Hariparwat police station.
However, Assistant Superintendent of Police Aditya said that an FIR would be registered and strict action would follow against the troublemakers after identifying them from the CCTV footage of the area.
What Triggered the Attack?
The violence stemmed from Suman’s controversial statement in the Rajya Sabha on March 21. During a discussion on historical figures, he questioned why figures like Babur and Aurangzeb were criticized for their actions, but Rana Sanga was not.
“Indian Muslims do not see Babur as their ideal; they follow Prophet Muhammad and the Sufi tradition. But who brought Babur here? It was Rana Sanga who invited him to defeat Ibrahim Lodi. If that’s the case, then shouldn’t Hindus be considered descendants of the ‘traitor’ Sanga? We criticize Babur, but why not Rana Sanga?” Suman had asked in Parliament.
His remarks sparked outrage from right-wing Hindu groups, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Karni Sena, who accused him of insulting a revered Rajput warrior.
Justifying the attack, Okendra Rana, the youth wing chief of the Karni Sena, said that Karni Sena activists would write the name of their revered war hero Rana Sanga on every brick in Suman’s house.
“He has used humiliating words against the icons of Hindu society. If anyone will inflict insults at our leaders, this time, we will not forgive him,” said Okendra Rana.
As per the historical references, Rana Sanga, a member of the Sisodia clan of Suryavanshi Rajputs, ruled Mewar from 1508 to 1528. He led a Rajput alliance against Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent, but was defeated at the Battle of Khanwa. This defeat was a decisive moment that consolidated Mughal control over the region.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also condemned Suman over his remarks against Rana Sanga, saying that only someone with a “trivial intellect” and a “small heart” could have made such comments against the great Rajput king.
