Sudha Murty Faces Criticism Over Raksha Bandhan Story
Sudha Murty, chairman of the Infosys Foundation, recently posted a video on X to mark Raksha Bandhan, explaining the festival's origins. In the video, she described Raksha Bandhan as a festival where a sister ties a thread to signify her trust that her brother will support her in times of need.
Murty recounted a historical anecdote involving rani Karnavati, who, when her kingdom was under threat, sent a thread to Mughal Emperor Humayun, requesting his protection. She claimed that this act of sending a thread symbolized the festival's origins, noting that Humayun, despite being unfamiliar with the tradition, responded to her call for help, though he arrived too late.
The accompanying note with her stated, “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.”
Critics have responded negatively, with some pointing out that Raksha Bandhan is traditionally associated with Lord krishna and Draupadi, rather than rani Karnavati. According to the legend, Draupadi tore her saree to bandage Krishna’s wound, leading him to vow to protect her in the future.