SP MLA Abu Asim Azmi Booked for Remarks on Aurangzeb, Withdraws Statement Amid Uproar
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi has been charged with hurting religious sentiments following his remarks on Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
His statements, made on Monday, created a massive uproar, leading to an adjournment in the legislative assembly on Tuesday. Azmi has since retracted his remarks amid growing calls for stricter action against him.
Azmi had dismissed the depiction of Aurangzeb as a cruel ruler in the film Chhava, instead describing him as a “good administrator.”
This statement drew widespread criticism from politicians across various parties. On Monday evening, members of the Shiv Sena lodged complaints against Azmi at multiple police stations.
Subsequently, the Marine Drive police registered an FIR against him under Sections 299 (deliberate acts insulting religious beliefs), 302 (hurting religious feelings through speech, sound, gestures, or objects), and 356(1) (defamation) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Political Reactions and Demands for Action
Despite the FIR, political leaders were not satisfied. Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde demanded that Azmi be charged with treason.
“Aurangzeb tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj for 40 days. Calling him ‘good’ is the biggest sin. Abu Azmi must apologize and be charged with treason,” Shinde stated in the legislative assembly. He further urged for Azmi’s suspension from the House.
The BJP also supported the demand for action, while the Shiv Sena (UBT), part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, joined in protesting against Azmi.
Senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar and Sena minister Gulabrao Patil also called for his suspension.
In the legislative council, BJP MLC Praveen Darekar alleged that Azmi had insulted other religions while praising Aurangzeb and insisted on his arrest.
Leader of the Opposition in the Council, Ambadas Danve (Sena-UBT), also sought action against Azmi, while Council Chairperson Ram Shinde asked Eknath Shinde to respond on behalf of the government.
Shinde’s Condemnation and Tribute to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
Eknath Shinde strongly criticized Azmi for “glorifying” Aurangzeb. He emphasized that the film Chhava depicted the atrocities inflicted by Aurangzeb on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, highlighting his resistance against forced conversion.
Shinde honored Sambhaji Maharaj, describing him as a “protector of dharma and Swarajya.”
“The world knows what kind of ruler Aurangzeb was. He was a cruel tyrant, not an able administrator. We reject any attempt to glorify such a figure,” said Shinde.
He further asserted that despite attempts to distort history, “the truth of the Marathas’ valor and sacrifice remains unchanged.”
Azmi’s Retraction and Further Controversy
Azmi, who represents the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency in Mumbai, withdrew his comments on Tuesday evening.
He stated that his remarks were exaggerated and that he had immense respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
However, this did not settle the issue. Sena spokesperson and MLC Manisha Kayande stated, “Our members have filed an FIR against Azmi. We will demand his suspension from the House on Wednesday as an FIR alone is not enough.”
On Wednesday, the Maharashtra Assembly passed a motion, introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil, to suspend Azmi for the entire session.
Azmi Reacts to Suspension
Reacting to his suspension until March 26, Azmi called it an “injustice” and questioned the government’s alleged double standards.
“My suspension is not just an injustice to me but also to the millions I represent. Are there two different laws in this state—one for Abu Azmi and another for Prashant Koratkar and Rahul Solapurkar?” he questioned in a video post on X.
BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar went further, stating that Azmi’s membership in the Assembly should be permanently revoked. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is revered, and we cannot let such insults go unpunished,” he said.
Azmi’s Remarks on Aurangzeb and the Political Firestorm
Azmi’s controversy began when he criticized the portrayal of historical events in Chhava, which is based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s life.
He defended Aurangzeb’s reign, calling him a “good administrator” and claiming that during his time, India’s borders extended from Afghanistan to Burma.
“Wrong history is being shown in Chhava… Aurangzeb built several temples. I do not think he was a cruel administrator,” Azmi stated.
He also suggested that India was known as a “sone ki chiriya (golden bird)” during Aurangzeb’s rule, accounting for 24% of the global GDP.
After his remarks led to an uproar in the Maharashtra Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde demanded his suspension.
Azmi then retracted his statement, arguing that his words were misinterpreted. “I have only repeated what historians have written about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Ali. I never made derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Sambhaji Maharaj. However, if anyone was hurt, I take back my words,” Azmi stated in a post on X.
Continued Political Fallout
Despite his retraction, the controversy continued. Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske filed an FIR against Azmi, alleging he intended to hurt religious sentiments.
The case was later transferred to Mumbai. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray demanded Azmi’s permanent suspension from the Assembly.
“This should not be just for the Budget Session. His suspension must be permanent,” Thackeray asserted.
Thackeray also criticized Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for defending Azmi.
He challenged Yadav to have Azmi contest elections from Uttar Pradesh instead, stating, “The entire Maharashtra has opposed Azmi’s statement.” Akhilesh Yadav had earlier objected to Azmi’s suspension, calling it a suppression of free speech.
However, Thackeray dismissed these claims, emphasizing that Maharashtra stands united against Azmi’s remarks.
