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Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi’s remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb rocked the Maharashtra legislature with the ruling Mahayuti members seeking his suspension and accusing him of treason, prompting the legislator to retract his statements later.
Both the Houses of the state legislature were adjourned for the day over the issue.
In a post on X after that, Azmi said his statements were twisted.
मेरे शब्दों को तोड़-मरोड़ कर दिखाया गया है। औरंगज़ेब रहमतुल्लाह अलेह के बारे में मैंने वही कहा है जो इतिहासकरों और लेखकों ने कहा है। मैंने छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज, संभाजी महाराज या अन्य किसी भी महापुरषों के बारे में कोई अपमानजनक टिपण्णी नहीं की है – लेकिन फिर भी मेरी इस बात से कोई… pic.twitter.com/k7PY0ICe3b
— Abu Asim Azmi (@abuasimazmi) March 4, 2025
“Whatever I have said about Aurangzeb is something that has been stated by historians and writers. I have not made any derogatory remarks against Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj or any national icons. Still, if anyone is hurt by my remarks, then I take back my statements and comments,” he said.
The issue is being politicised. Disrupting the budget session due to this is a loss of people of Maharashtra, he said.
In Delhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party latched on to Azmi’s remarks and slammed the Congress and other opposition parties, stating that they could stoop down to any level in their bid to ‘eradicate’ Sanatan Dharma.
As proceedings of both the Houses began, the Mahayuti members started raising slogans seeking action against the SP’s state president.
They claimed Azmi was a descendent of Aurangzeb, who tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and brutally killed him.
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde led the attack on Azmi both in the legislative council and assembly.
In the council, the former CM said Azmi also made objectionable statements in the past against Shivaji Maharaj.
“Azmi is purposely insulting Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj. Sambhaji’s Maharaj’s bravery and Aurangzeb’s cruelty will give goosebumps to people,” Shinde said in the council.
Aurangzeb tortured Sambhaji Maharaj in an inhuman way. Azmi referred to Aurangzeb as an able administrator who built temples but he razed Kashi Vishveshwar temple, Shinde said.
The Mughal emperor not only killed Hindus but also people from other religions, he said.
“Aurangzeb lost even after he won, but Sambhaji, through his bravery, won even even after his sacrifice. He (Aurangzeb) is a demon. Even a true Muslim will not forgive the progeny of traitors. It is wrong to eulogise Aurangzeb,” he added.
The deputy CM also demanded that Azmi’s membership of the legislative assembly be revoked.
