Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi stated on Tuesday that “it wasn’t my statement,” addressing the controversy stirred by his comments regarding Aurangzeb. Speaking to reporters, the SP MLA clarified that he was simply “responding to the comparison made by the Assam CM between Rahul Gandhi and Aurangzeb.”
Abu Azmi, who serves as the president of the Samajwadi Party in Maharashtra, mentioned that during Aurangzeb’s reign, the borders of India extended to Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar).
What comments did Abu Azmi make about Aurangzeb?
“Our GDP represented 24 percent of the global GDP, and India was referred to as a golden sparrow during his rule,” asserted the MLA from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar in Mumbai. When questioned about the conflict between Aurangzeb and Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi labeled it a political contest.
These remarks incited public anger, leading to protests against Azmi by Shiv Sena supporters.
The situation also created a stir in the state assembly, where members of the ruling party called for Azmi’s suspension from the House.
Abu Azmi clarifies his remarks on Aurangzeb
In addressing the uproar, the Samajwadi Party MLA stated, “I was merely reacting to the Assam CM and BJP leader. Numerous historians have written about Aurangzeb, and I have recounted their findings. These books remain unbanned; no actions have been taken against those historians, so why has this controversy arisen when I reiterated what has been documented?”
Azmi further accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “expanding their electoral base” by speaking negatively about Muslims in India. “Various issues are being raised against Muslims in the country. The more BJP leaders speak against Muslims, the larger their vote bank grows,” Azmi conveyed to reporters.
Azmi later retracted his statement, citing threats directed at him.
“Those in the government are inciting hatred against me. I have been subjected to a torrent of abuse, and if anything were to happen to me, the government would be responsible. I retract my statement not because it was incorrect, but because people have been wrongfully incited against me,” the SP MLA remarked.
Shiv Sena to Stage Statewide Protest
The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena announced plans for statewide protests against the remarks perceived as “disrespectful.” The party has demanded the filing of a sedition case against Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi and his suspension from the Assembly for allegedly glorifying Aurangzeb.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addressed the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday and called for a sedition case to be lodged against Abu Azmi for “praising” Aurangzeb.
Mumbai Police Begins Investigation
Mumbai Police have initiated an investigation into a case against Azmi regarding his comments that were seen as “eulogizing” Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, officials announced on Tuesday.
An FIR was filed on Monday against Azmi by police in the neighboring Thane district, prompted by a complaint from Lok Sabha member Naresh Mhaske for allegedly trying to incite religious sentiments.
The FIR from Thane was later referred to Mumbai, where a new case was registered at the Marine Drive police station on Tuesday against Azmi under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to officials.
