“Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is one of the important festivals where a sister ties a thread, symbolizing that in times of difficulty, you should always be there to help me,” Murty explained. She added that Humayun, unfamiliar with the custom, learned its significance and attempted to aid Karnavati, though he arrived too late to save her.
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
The video sparked immediate criticism from users on X. Many took issue with Murty’s historical account, branding it as “fake” and “absolute rubbish.” One user criticized the narrative as a distortion of Indian culture, stating, “At this moment I know u know nothing about Indian festivals and culture if u believe in this nonsense story.” Another user suggested Murty needed to study the festival’s true origins, referencing the Raksha Sutra from the Mahabharata and the significance of Shravan Poornima.
On which Sudha Murty clarified herself through another post stating, “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.”
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
Historical records offer a more nuanced view of the Raksha Bandhan tradition. While the story of Rani Karnavati and Humayun is a well-known legend, some historians, like Satish Chandra, argue that there is little contemporary evidence to support the claim that this event directly inspired the rakhi tradition. Chandra notes that the historical basis for this connection is tenuous and not widely documented.
The debate highlights the ongoing discussion about the historical and cultural accuracy of popular narratives surrounding traditional festivals.