Fadnavis, Uddhav Back Abu Azmi’s Suspension From Assembly In Big Aurangzeb Row, Akhilesh Hits Back

Last Updated:March 05, 2025, 18:32 IST

While commenting on historical portrayals in the Bollywood film Chhava, Abu Azmi claimed that history distorted Aurangzeb’s legacy and that he was not a cruel ruler.

SP MLA Abu Azmi | File Image/PTI

A massive political uproar has been witnessed over Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi’s remarks hailing Mughal ruler Aurangzeb which further snowballed into a massive slugfest after he was suspended from the Maharashtra assembly for the whole Budget session on Wednesday.

Azmi Suspended From Assembly

Earlier today, the state assembly passed a motion unanimously to suspend Azmi from the House till the end of the budget session.

Members of the treasury benches said Azmi’s remark praising Aurangzeb was a insult of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Read More: Abu Azmi Retracts Statement On Aurangzeb Amid Backlash: ‘Want Matter To Be Rested’

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil argued that Azmi’s statements were objectionable and had hurt the dignity of the Assembly, leading to the decision.

Fadnavis, Uddhav Back Azmi’s Suspension

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena (UBT faction) chief Uddhav Thackeray and others backed the suspension decision.

Fadnavis said, “Any disrespect towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will not be tolerated! Question to the opposition… Will you condemn what is written about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s book ‘The Discovery of India’?”

Thackeray demanded that Azmi should be permanently suspended from the assembly. He said, “He should be permanently suspended. It should not just be for the Budget Session, the suspension should be permanent.”

Thackeray further reacted on Akhilesh Yadav’s defence saying, “Let him object if he wants to. The entire Maharashtra has raised an objection against him. If he wants, he should make him contest from there (UP). He does not know the truth.”

Yogi Adityanath Slams Azmi, Akhilesh

Weighing into the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lashed out at Azmi and challenged Akhilesh Yadav to expel Azmi over his remark, saying, “Remove that person from Samajwadi Party and send him to UP, we will do his treatment.”

He also questioned Azmi’s legitimacy to stay in the country, saying, “The person who feels ashamed about the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and considers Aurangzeb his idol, does he have the right to stay in our country?”

Akhilesh Yadav Defends Azmi

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav came out in support of the MLA and termed his suspension an “attack on freedom of expression”. Yadav asserted that if such decisions are influenced by ideology, there will be no difference between freedom of expression and subjection.

“If the basis of suspension starts getting influenced by ideology, then what difference will there be between freedom of expression and subjection? Whether it is our MLAs or MPs, their fearless wisdom is unmatched. If some people think that by ‘suspension’ one can rein them in, then this is their childishness…,” Yadav said in a post on X in Hindi.

Azmi Calls Suspension ‘Injustice’

The SP legislator reacted to his suspension from the assembly and said it was an “injustice” and questioned the double standards of the government.

“My suspension is an injustice, not just to me but to the millions of people whom I represent… I would like to ask the government whether two types of laws are followed in the state? One law for Abu Azmi and another law for Prashant Koratkar and Rahul Sholapurkar,” he said.

Read More: Amidst SP Leader Abu Azmi’s Claim, How History Suggests Aurangzeb Was A Tyrant | Explained

In a video posted on X, Azmi argued that his remarks on Aurangzeb were made outside the House and not inside. He said that he withdrew his statement to ensure the House functions, but “still there is a controversy”.

“To ensure that the House functions, I spoke about withdrawing my statement. I did not say anything wrong. Still, there is a controversy and proceedings of the House are being stalled,” he said.

Uproar Over Azmi’s Comments

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday lambasted Azmi both in the legislative council and assembly.

“Azmi is purposely insulting Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj. Sambhaji’s Maharaj’s bravery and Aurangzeb’s cruelty will give goosebumps to people. The Mughal emperor not only killed Hindus but also people from other religions,” he had said.

Read More: ‘Obsessed With Aurangzeb’: BJP Sharpens Attack On SP Neta Abu Azmi For Praising Mughal Ruler

Shinde dubbed Azmi a “traitor” and said he had no right to sit in the House.

What Azmi Said On Aurangzeb?

While commenting on historical portrayals in the Bollywood film Chhava, Azmi claimed that history distorted Aurangzeb’s legacy and that he was not a cruel ruler.

“Wrong things are being said about Aurangzeb. He constructed a lot of temples for Hindus. He even got one of his soldiers trampled by elephants when he wanted to marry a Hindu priest’s daughter. As a mark of their gratitude, they constructed a mosque for Muslims. History has been distorted,” Abu Azmi said on Monday.

Azmi further said that during Aurangzeb’s reign, India’s border reached Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar). “Our GDP accounted for 24 per cent (of the world GDP)) and India was called a golden sparrow (during his regime),” he claimed.

Azmi’s comments rocked both houses of the state legislature on Tuesday, with members of the ruling side demanding his suspension and that he be booked for treason.

After the outrage over his comments, Azmi in a post on X on Tuesday said his statements were twisted. “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 budget session of the state legislature will end on March 26.

(With inputs from agencies)