‘It Never Happened’: Sudha Murty Faces Backlash Over Raksha Bandhan Story

Sudha Murty, the chairman of the nonprofit charity Infosys Foundation, shared a video message on X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. She has explained the historical origins of the festival. In the video, she can be heard saying, “Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is one of the important festivals according to me where a sister ties a thread. It may not be a huge one but a simple thread indicating that in times of difficulties, you should always be there to help me.”

She added, “It goes back to Rani Karnavati when she was in danger; her kingdom was small and attacked by somebody; she did not know what to do, so she sent a thread to King Humayun, a Mughal Emperor, saying that she was in danger, please consider me your sister, and please do come to protect me.” Describing the significance of the celebration and the bond, Subha Murty added, “Humayun came from a different country; he didn’t know about the thread. He asked the local people and came to know it was a call from a sister to a brother. He said okay, if that is the case, I will go and help Rani Karnavati. He left Delhi and went to her kingdom, but he was a little late as she was no more.”

The note attached to her tweet read, “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.”

The video has received more than 716k views on social media. But it has failed to strike a chord with the people online.

A user said, “It never happened, read 100 hours a week to improve your historical knowledge.”

Another added, “You should read history 20 hours a day.”

A person said, “It’s a real surprise for me that you as a writer is telling this crap. Raksha Bandan is related with Krishna & Draupati. Please educate yourself.” According to legend, Lord Krishna once wounded his finger while wielding his Sudarshan Chakra by mistake. Upon noticing his suffering, Draupadi tore a part of her saree in order to cover his wound. Krishna, impressed by her act, pledged to always defend her.

“I thought you loved to read … but you read fiction probably,” a comment read.

In India, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated today, August 19.