Mumbai: Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi has been suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly until the end of the ongoing Budget Session following his controversial remarks about Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The ruling Mahayuti alliance moved the resolution, branding Azmi a ‘traitor’ and condemning his statements as ‘unbecoming of his stature.’ The suspension was approved by voice vote.
The controversy erupted after Azmi asserted that Aurangzeb was not a cruel ruler and had built temples, arguing that his conflict with Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was political rather than religious. He further claimed that India’s GDP stood at 24% during Aurangzeb’s reign, citing historian Ram Puniyani as a reference. Despite later retracting his statements and offering an apology, Azmi was suspended from the Assembly.
Allegations of Bias and Political Vendetta
Following his suspension, Azmi alleged that the decision was arbitrary and politically motivated. He claimed he and his family were receiving death threats and criticized the government’s stance. “Despite withdrawing my statement and apologizing, I was suspended. This is a reflection of the government’s arbitrariness. I am facing thousands of threatening calls. I only spoke based on historical records,” he said.
Azmi also questioned what he described as double standards, pointing to actor Rahul Solapurkar and Prashant Koratkar, who had made derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj but were not subjected to similar action.
Political Reactions and National Echo
The suspension has triggered a political storm across party lines. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar backed the action against Azmi but insisted that similar accountability should be enforced against those who made derogatory remarks about Shivaji Maharaj. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demanded Azmi’s permanent suspension.
The controversy has also resonated in Uttar Pradesh, where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly condemned Azmi’s remarks. “Instead of taking pride in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy, he idolizes Aurangzeb. The Samajwadi Party blames the Maha Kumbh but praises a ruler who vandalized temples. Why hasn’t the SP distanced itself from his statement?” Adityanath remarked in the UP Assembly.
Meanwhile, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav defended Azmi, calling the suspension ideologically motivated. “If suspensions are based on ideology, what remains of freedom of expression? Some people believe suspensions can suppress the truth—this is childish,” Yadav wrote on X.
Kharge’s Criticism of Media Priorities
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge also weighed in, criticizing media priorities. In a post on X, he stated, “The media debates about Aurangzeb, who died centuries ago, while ignoring pressing national crises. The economy is struggling, unemployment is high, the rupee is weakening, and purchasing power is declining—yet these issues are sidelined to appease political masters.”
Kharge further remarked that historical monarchs, irrespective of religious affiliation, were driven by power and ambition, not by concern for the people. “While India remains entangled in ideological battles over the past, the youth—who should be shaping the nation’s future—are losing opportunities. Wake up, India!” he added.
As the controversy escalates, the suspension of Abu Azmi is likely to remain a flashpoint in Maharashtra’s political landscape, fueling debates on historical narratives, political ideologies, and the boundaries of free speech
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