LUCKNOW: Amid the political row over the attack on Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ramji Suman’s residence in Agra by Karni Sena activists, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati reminded SP chief Akhilesh Yadav of the infamous ‘guest house’ episode of 1995, when SP workers had allegedly attempted to attack her.
In a series of posts on microblogging site X, Mayawati urged Akhilesh to recall the incident that took place during the tenure of his father, SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav, in Lucknow in 1995.
“The SP should stop politicking over the Agra incident,” she said. “Along with the Agra incident, the SP chief should also remember the Lucknow State Guest House incident on 2 June 1995, when there was a near-fatal attack on me by this party’s workers during its government. The SP should also show some remorse over it.”
She further added: “The SP should now stop taking political mileage over the Agra incident and should not allow further oppression of Dalits here, like what happened in Agra.”
The attack on Suman’s residence came after his controversial remarks in the Rajya Sabha on 21 March, where he called Rajput ruler Rana Sanga a ‘traitor.’ Following the statement, Karni Sena activists targeted his residence in Agra on Wednesday.
While the Samajwadi Party staged protests across the state against the attack, Akhilesh condemned the violence and questioned the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh.
He also sought to pacify the Rajput community, stating that his party did not question the bravery and courage of Rana Sanga. However, he alleged that the attack on Suman’s residence was allowed to happen because he belonged to the Dalit community.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Suman’s remarks continues, as a complaint has been filed against him in the MP/MLA court in Hathras. The court has scheduled the matter for hearing on 5 April.
According to Hathras Bar Association member Munna Singh, the complaint was filed by Matendra Singh Gehlot, a resident of Hateesa village under the Hathras Gate police station area. The complainant alleged that the Rajput community regarded Rana Sanga’s courage and bravery as a matter of pride and accused Suman of deliberately trying to defame the ruler by calling him a ‘traitor’ in the Rajya Sabha.
The complaint further stated that Suman had repeated his remarks on social media on 22 March, allegedly with the intent to disturb social harmony, incite caste tensions, and gain publicity by hurting the sentiments of the Rajput community.
