Sudha Murty's Raksha Bandhan post sparks debate on X. Here's her message

Rajya Sabha MP Sudha Murty recently posted on X about Raksha Bandhan, describing it as a significant festival and explaining the symbolic importance of the rakhi or thread. She recounted the festival's origins, which led to a heated debate among users on the platform.

In her video message, Murty stated, "Raksha Bandhan is an important festival for me, symbolizing that if I am in trouble, I can count on you for support."

She detailed the historical context of Raksha Bandhan, referring to a story involving Rani Karnavati of Mewar. According to Murty, when her kingdom was under threat, she sent a thread to Mughal Emperor Humayun, seeking protection. The emperor agreed to help but arrived too late, and Karnavati did not survive.



Murty emphasized that the thread signifies a plea for help during distress, reflecting its deep significance.

However, some X users challenged Murty’s account, arguing that Raksha Bandhan's origins are rooted in the Mahabharat era, not post-medieval India. They pointed to the story of Draupadi and Lord Krishna, where Draupadi tied a piece of cloth to Krishna’s finger, leading him to vow protection during the Chirharan incident.

Others referred to different historical accounts, such as the tale of King Bali and Goddess Lakshmi. According to this version, Lakshmi tied a rakhi on King Bali’s wrist during Shravana Purnima, which became a tradition to invite sisters for Raksha Bandhan.

The diverse perspectives highlight the various interpretations and historical narratives surrounding the festival.