'Sudha Murty Should Correct Her Mistake': The Kashmir Files Producer on Rajya Sabha MP's Raksha Bandhan Story

Rajya Sabha MP, philanthropist, and author Sudha Murty found herself in the eye of a controversy after she recounted a tale about Rani Karnavati and Humayun, explaining how the custom of tying rakhi began. However, the story received backlash, with many, including The Kashmir Files producer Abhishek Agarwal, criticising it as historically inaccurate.

Agarwal expressed his shock on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “This is really shocking coming from a lady like Sudha Murty, who herself is at the forefront of championing our Indigenous culture.”

Read| ‘It Never Happened’: Sudha Murty Faces Backlash Over Raksha Bandhan Story

“Respected Sudha Murty Ji, you should know that the story of Mughal Emperor Humayun acting on a rakhi sent by Rani Karnavati of Chittor is a fabricated myth. This narrative was spread to diminish Hindu achievements and falsely attribute cultural elements to Islamic invaders,” he added.

Agarwal argued that Qutbuddin Bahadur Shah of Gujarat attacked Chittor despite having been sheltered there and that Humayun did not aid Chittor but focused on his own ambitions. He questioned why Rani Karnavati and the women of Chittor performed Jauhar to escape invaders if Humayun had indeed come to their rescue.

“We must unite to counter this misleading narrative and honour our true history. Raksha Bandhan is a Sanatan festival, its origins are in our Dharmashastras. Sudha Murty Ji should note and correct her mistake,” he concluded.

What did Sudha Murty say after the backlash?

Sudha Murty, in her latest post, defended her stand, saying, “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.”

Sudha Murty on Raksha Bandhan

“Raksha Bandhan has a rich history. When Rani Karnavati was in danger, she sent a thread to King Humayun as a symbol of siblinghood, asking for his help. This is where the tradition of the thread began, and it continues to this day,” Sudha Murty wrote on X as she shared a video on the historical origins of the festival.

“Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is one of the important festivals according to me where a sister ties a thread. It may not be a huge one but a simple thread indicating that in times of difficulties, you should always be there to help me. Our siblings are so important in life,” she said in the video.

She then shared the origins of the festival: “It goes back to Rani Karnavati when she was in danger; her kingdom was small and attacked by somebody; she did not know what to do, so she sent a thread to King Humayun, a Mughal Emperor, saying that I am in danger, please consider me your sister, and please do come to protect me.”

“Humayun didn’t know what is it. Because he came from a different country, he asked what is this. The local people said it is a call from a sister to a brother…,” she added.

Murty further said, “He said okay, if that is the case, I will go and help Rani Karnavati. He left Delhi and went to her kingdom, but he was a little late as she was no more.”