New Delhi: Philanthropist and Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty found herself at the center of a social media storm after sharing her views on the origin of Raksha Bandhan. In a recent video on X, Murty attributed the festivals roots to a legend involving Mughal emperor Humayun and Chittors Rani Karnavati.Murtys video explained that Raksha Bandhan, a festival celebrating the bond between siblings, is said to have originated when Rani Karnavati sent a thread to Humayun in the 16th century, asking for protection. “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,” she stated in her post.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, 2024The netizens dissmisses the age old lore However, her version of history quickly drew backlash, with many social media users accusing her of spreading misinformation. Comments ranged from sarcastic remarks like, “You should read history 20 hours a day,” to outright rejection of her account as “fake” and “absolute rubbish.” Critics pointed out that the widely recognized origin of Raksha Bandhan is rooted in ancient Indian traditions, with the story of Lord Krishna and Draupadi being a prominent narrative.Historians have also contested the Humayun-Rani Karnavati tale. Noted historian Satish Chandra in his book Medieval India that contemporary sources did not mention this legend, casting doubt on its credibility. Despite the criticism, Murtys remarks have reignited conversations around the various legends linked to Raksha Bandhan, showing how deeply traditions and history are intertwined.
