Karni Sena Leader Thakur Yogendra Singh Rana's Marriage Proposal To Kairana MP Iqra Hasan Stirs Controversy
A video posted by Thakur Yogendra Singh Rana, the National Vice-President of the Karni Sena, has sparked widespread outrage after he made a controversial marriage proposal to Kairana MP and Samajwadi Party leader Iqra Hasan. In the video, shared on social media along with a Facebook post, Rana not only made personal remarks about the young parliamentarian but also targeted AIMIM leaders Asaduddin Owaisi and his brother Akbaruddin Owaisi.
In the now-deleted video, Rana declared his intention to marry Iqra Hasan, saying he had already sought his wife’s permission. “Iqra Hasan is still unmarried, and I am no less handsome. I have houses in Moradabad and sufficient property. If she agrees, I will allow her to perform Namaz in my home,” he said. However, he added a bizarre condition — that the Owaisi brothers must address him as “jija” (brother-in-law).
Rana even recited verses from the Quran in the video and stated, “Mujhe Iqra Hasan se nikaah qubool hai, qubool hai, qubool hai,” mimicking the traditional Islamic marriage affirmation. The video was widely circulated before Rana removed it from social media within two hours, following a storm of public criticism.
Karni Sena Leader Thakur Yogendra Singh Rana’s Marriage Proposal To Kairana MP Iqra Hasan Stirs Controversy
In his Facebook post, which mirrored the video’s content, Rana further wrote, “Main bhi dekhne mein unse kam khoobsurat nahin hoon… I have properties and my wife has given consent.” His tone, laced with mockery and laced with communal overtones, drew sharp condemnation from various quarters.
The backlash on social media was swift and scathing. Many users termed Rana’s post disrespectful and a deliberate insult to a woman MP. Senior journalist Arfa Khanum Sherwani described the incident as a “sexual and communal power play,” aimed at degrading a young Muslim woman in public life and humiliating the Muslim community at large. “Why is there no outrage?” she questioned in her post.
Facing intense criticism, Rana stood by his statement in an interview with NBT Online, saying, “Whatever I said, I said after deep thought. Even if I’m jailed or hanged, I won’t backtrack.”
Political reactions, particularly from the Samajwadi Party, have been strong. SP leaders denounced the remarks as crude and sexist, and demanded legal action against Rana. “This isn’t mere mischief, it is targeted harassment. Such statements threaten the dignity and safety of women in politics,” said one party spokesperson.
Iqra Hasan, elected to the Lok Sabha in 2024 from Kairana, is a rising political figure from a prominent family. She is admired for her poise and grace in Parliament. As of now, she has not responded publicly to the controversy.
