Maharashtra: Following his recent controversial remark on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi was suspended from the ongoing Maharashtra budget session on Wednesday. Maharashtra Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil moved a motion against him in the House, stating that his objectionable comments had hurt the House’s dignity. Over his remarks, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena today protested against Azmi. They burned his effigy, raised slogans, and demanded strict action against him.
Maharashtra Assembly Update | SP MLA Abu Azmi suspended from the Budget Session of the House over his statement on Aurangzeb.
---Advertisement---A motion against him was moved in the House by Maharashtra Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil. The House passed the motion.
(Pics:… pic.twitter.com/tNQqfKLCM6
---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2025
Who Is Abu Azmi?
Abu Asim Azmi is a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly who represents the Mankhud Shivaji Nagar Constituency. He currently serves as the President of the Maharashtra state branch of the Samajwadi Party.
About The Controversy
The move comes after Azmi reportedly said that Aurangzeb was a not a ‘cruel administrator’ and that he had built many temples. He made these statements during his recent interaction with the media. He further added that the fight between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb was not related to Hindu-Muslim; rather, it was for the state administration.
Azmi Withdraws His Statement
Earlier on Tuesday, Azmi said in a video on X, “My words have been twisted. I have said what historians and writers have said about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Ali. I have not made any derogatory comment about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, or any other great men – but still, if my statement has hurt anyone, then I take back my words.”
He further alleged that the issue has been made political. “I think that closing the budget session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly because of this is causing harm to the people of Maharashtra,” he added. A zero FIR was also filed against him earlier in the Thane’s Naupada Police Station. The case was later handed over to Mumbai’s Marine Drive police station.
CM Yogi On Azmi’s Statement
Additionally, on Abu Azmi’s statement on Aurangzeb, which he later retreated, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said, “Remove that person from (Samajwadi) party and send him to UP, we will do his treatment. Does the person who feels ashamed about the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, instead of taking pride and considering Aurangzeb as his idol, have the right to stay in our country?”
The Chief Minister asked the Samajwadi Party to answer this. He added, “On one hand, you keep blaming Maha Kumbh while on the other, you praise a man like Aurangzeb, who destroyed the temples of the country. Why can’t you control that MLA of yours and condemn his statement?”
#WATCH | Lucknow: On Samajwadi party MLA Abu Azmi's statement on Aurangzeb, which he later withdrew, UP CM Yogi Adityanath says, " Remove that person from (Samajwadi) party and send him to UP, we will do his treatment. The person who feels ashamed about the heritage of… pic.twitter.com/SHXClYoyaz
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2025
