Sudha Murty's X Post Linking Raksha Bandhan To Mughal Emperor Spark Row, She Issues Clarification

Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty extolled the significance of Raksha Bandhan, recounting the story of Rani Karnavati's plea to King Humayun for protection.

Sudha Murty’s Raksha Bandhan story on X triggered debate over the festival’s true origins

Source : X/@SmtSudhaMurty

Rajya Sabha MP and renowned philanthropist Sudha Murty had to issue a clarification on Monday after a video she posted on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan created an online row.

In the video, Murty shared the story behind the festival, which led to a debate on X (formerly Twitter) with users differing from her.  

In a video on social media platform X, she called it an "important festival" for her, where a sister ties a thread symbolising a request for protection in times of difficulty.

She attributed the origin of Raksha Bandhan to a story linked to Mughal emperor Humayun and Chittor's Rani Karnavati.

“Raksha Bandhan has a rich history. When Rani Karnavati was in danger, she sent a thread to King Humayun as a symbol of sibling-hood, asking for his help. This is where the tradition of the thread began and it continues to this day,” Murty said in a post while sharing the video on the festival.

But, when she shared the story behind the festival, it sparked a debate on social media with netizens having different opinions from her. After a debate over her video, later she came up with another post to justify her video message and said that the story she shared is just one of many tales linked with this festival and it is not its origin.

"The story I shared on Raksha Bandhan is just one of many tales associated with the festival and certainly not its origin. As I have said in the video clip, this was already a custom of the land. My intention was to highlight one of the many stories I learnt about when growing up, about the beautiful symbolism behind Raksha Bandhan. Raksha Bandhan is a much older tradition that has transcended time and culture of our beloved country, one that I am proud of and look forward to with affection for my own siblings," she wrote in a post on X.

The story I shared on Raksha Bandhan is just one of many tales associated with the festival and certainly not its origin. As I have said in the video clip, this was already a custom of the land. My intention was to highlight one of the many stories I learnt about when growing up,…

— Smt. Sudha Murty (@SmtSudhaMurty) August 19, 2024

Sudha Murty's Video Message On Raksha Bandhan

In her video message on Raksha Bandhan, she wrote in her post on the social media handle X, "Raksha Bandhan has a rich history. When Rani Karnavati was in danger, she sent a thread to King Humayun as a symbol of sibling-hood, asking for his help. This is where the tradition of the thread began and it continues to this day."

Raksha Bandhan has a rich history. When Rani Karnavati was in danger, she sent a thread to King Humayun as a symbol of sibling-hood, asking for his help. This is where the tradition of the thread began and it continues to this day. pic.twitter.com/p98lwCZ6Pp

— Smt. Sudha Murty (@SmtSudhaMurty) August 19, 2024

Sharing the story behind the festival wife of the Infosys Chairman said in the video message, "It goes back to when Rani Karnavati (from the Kingdom of Mewar) was in danger her kingdom was small and under attack. She did not know what to do. She sent a small piece of thread to Mughal Emperor Humayun and said I'm in danger please consider me as your sister. Please do come and protect me."

Murty added, "Humayun did not know what it was...he asked what is this and the locals said this is a call of a sister to a brother...this is the custom of the land," adding, "The emperor said okay if this is the case then I will help Rani Karnavati. He left Delhi but couldn't reach there on time and Karnavati died."

"This idea is when you're facing a threat or in distress. A thread indicates that somebody should come and help me and it means a lot..." she further added.

A Netizens Confirms Origins Of Raksha Bandhan Traces Back To Mahabharat Era

However, a user on X offered a different perspective, arguing that the origins of Raksha Bandhan trace back to the Mahabharat era rather than post-medieval India. They explained that during the Mahabharat, Lord Krishna accidentally cut his finger while using the Sudarshan Chakra to kill King Shishupal. Draupadi, in a compassionate gesture, bandaged his wound with a piece of cloth.

With absolute respect Madam, the origin of Rakshabandan dates back to the Mahabharata times.

Lord Krishna once accidentally cut his find on the Sudarshan Chakra. Seeing him injured, Draupadi tore a piece of cloth from her saree and tied it to stop the bleeding. Touched by her…

— D Prasanth Nair (@DPrasanthNair) August 19, 2024

Moved by her kindness, Lord Krishna vowed to protect Draupadi from harm. He fulfilled this promise during the Chirharan incident when the Kauravas attempted to disgrace her, intervening when no one else could.