Economic Times / Politics & Nation — Published March 26-27, 2025
Activists from the Karni Sena, a Rajput community-based group, vandalised the residence of Samajwadi Party (SP) Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, after the lawmaker made controversial comments about the 16th-century Rajput ruler Rana Sanga during a Parliament session. The attack on his Agra home sparked political tensions, with both the SP and BJP accusing each other of playing caste politics in the aftermath of the incident.
🔥 What Happened
The Karni Sena protesters, incensed by Suman’s remarks on Rana Sanga, gathered in Agra and vandalised chairs and cars outside the MP’s residence in the Sanjay Place area. Police intervened, but some officers were injured while trying to stop the mob from entering the property. The MP was not at home when the attack occurred.
Reports say the protest was triggered by remarks Suman made in the Rajya Sabha, where he described Rana Sanga — a revered historical figure among Rajputs — in a way that was interpreted as derogatory, leading to widespread backlash from Rajput groups, including the Karni Sena.
📌 Political Reactions
- Samajwadi Party leaders accused right-wing groups of targeting Suman due to his Dalit identity. They argued that the attack was not just against an individual but against backward and minority communities more broadly.
- BJP leaders condemned the remarks but also criticized the vandalism, insisting that violence was not an acceptable response to political speech. According to some reports from Parliament sessions, BJP members also resisted attempts to frame the attack as caste-based, even as opposition parties highlighted social fault lines in the debate.
🧨 Broader Context
The Rana Sanga controversy inflamed sentiments because Rana Sanga, a historic Rajput ruler, is held in high esteem by many in the Rajput community. The Karni Sena — known for mobilising over perceived slights to Rajput pride — saw Suman’s comments as an insult that warranted protest. The Economic Times
The aftermath of the attack saw continued political arguments, with SP leaders alleging laxity by the administration, while BJP members sought to condemn violence and distance the party from extremist action