In a bid to contain political fallout and prevent alienation of upper-caste voters, Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav has softened his stance on the controversy surrounding Mewar ruler Rana Sanga. Amid widespread outrage over SP MP Ramjilal Suman’s remarks, Yadav clarified that Rana Sanga’s valour and patriotism remain undisputed.

“The Samajwadi Party believes in social justice and an egalitarian society. We aim to ensure dignity and respect for even the weakest sections of society,” Yadav stated. “We are not questioning Rana Sanga’s bravery or his devotion to the nation.”

With Rajput groups protesting against Suman’s remarks, the SP leadership has been forced into damage control. Yadav emphasised that the MP merely sought to highlight the one-sided nature of historical narratives. “Our intention was never to insult the Rajput community or any other group,” he added.

Yadav also took a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of manipulating historical events for political gains and exploiting religious and caste divisions. “Certain aspects of history have always been used by the BJP for political benefit,” he said.

The controversy has placed the SP in a precarious position. While the party has been pushing its PDA (Dalit, backward, and minority) strategy, it cannot afford to alienate upper-caste voters, particularly Rajputs. The backlash from the Karni Sena and other Rajput organisations compelled Yadav to issue clarifications, underscoring his attempt to balance competing voter interests.

Yadav further argued that historical interpretations should not dictate modern governance. “We cannot run a democracy based on historical events alone. The BJP government should focus on improving livelihoods, healthcare, and security instead of fueling divisive politics,” he remarked.

Tensions escalated further when Dalit organisations rallied behind Suman after his Agra residence was attacked by Rajput protesters. They condemned the attack as an instance of oppression against Dalits, adding another layer to the political battle.

While downplaying Suman’s statement on Rana Sanga, Yadav asserted that the MP’s house was attacked because he belongs to the Dalit community. In response, SP workers staged a protest in Lucknow against the attack but refrained from commenting on Rana Sanga, instead framing the issue as a caste-based assault.

Meanwhile, the BJP has positioned itself as the defender of Hindu warrior legacies, advocating for greater recognition of historical figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whom it argues have been undervalued in history.

The party has been actively promoting the construction of memorials and museums in Shivaji’s honor while simultaneously targeting Mughal rulers like Babur and Aurangzeb.

During a recent event in Agra, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reinforced this narrative, stating that Agra’s identity should be linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji rather than the Mughals. Against this backdrop, Suman’s remarks in the Rajya Sabha on March 21 triggered a political storm, drawing severe backlash on social media.

The controversy has also revitalized the Karni Sena, which had been on the fringes of political relevance. Angered by Suman’s comments, Karni Sena activists marched to his residence, following through on their protest threats. The episode has thrust the organisation back into the spotlight, positioning it as a champion of Rajput interests.

As political dynamics shift in Uttar Pradesh, the Rana Sanga controversy has evolved beyond a historical debate — it has become a battleground for vote banks and political narratives in the lead-up to the next elections.