Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday till the end of the ongoing budget session following his remarks in praise of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The budget session is set to conclude on March 26.
State minister Chandrakant Patil moved the motion for Azmi’s suspension in the House, which was passed by a voice vote. Members of the treasury benches contended that his remarks amounted to an insult to Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
Patil stated that Azmi’s comments were inappropriate for a member of the assembly and disrespected the democratic institution.
Azmi, who is the president of the Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra unit and represents the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency in Mumbai, had claimed that under Aurangzeb’s reign, India’s borders extended to Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar).
He further stated that India accounted for 24% of the world’s GDP and was referred to as a “golden sparrow” during that period. When questioned about the conflict between Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi described it as a political battle.
His comments sparked an uproar in both houses of the state legislature on Tuesday, with ruling party members demanding his suspension and calling for him to be booked for treason.
Azmi later took to social media to clarify his stance, stating that his words had been distorted. “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 wrote on X.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath strongly criticised Azmi’s remarks while addressing the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. He called on the Samajwadi Party to expel Azmi and send him to Uttar Pradesh for “treatment.”
“Samajwadi Party us kambhakt ko nikalo party se, UP bhej do, baaki upchaar hum apne aap karwa lenge,” he said.
Adityanath also accused the Samajwadi Party of hypocrisy, alleging that while they criticised the Mahakumbh festival, they supported a leader who praised Aurangzeb.
He questioned whether a person who considered Aurangzeb an idol rather than taking pride in the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had the right to remain in the country.
The Chief Minister further demanded that the Samajwadi Party explain why they had not controlled their MLA or condemned his statements.
