Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi Suspended from Maharashtra Assembly Over Comments Praising Aurangzeb

Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi has been suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly until the end of the Budget session following controversial remarks he made praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Azmi claimed that India flourished under Aurangzeb's rule. In a recent interview, he argued that Aurangzeb should not only be seen as a cruel ruler but also as an efficient administrator who contributed to the building of temples.

“To ensure the smooth functioning of the Assembly, I took my words back. Many important issues are pending in the state, and that’s why I withdrew my statement, which I had made outside the Assembly, not inside. Yet, I was suspended,” said Azmi, following his suspension.

Commenting on the battle between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb Azmi had sid, “I do not believe that the battle was about religion; it was a political battle.” His remarks led to widespread criticism, with many accusing him of disrespecting historical figures and distorting history.

In response to the backlash, the Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief issued an apology but maintained that his statements were based on historical records. He emphasised that his remarks were not aimed at insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Sambhaji Maharaj, claiming that his words had been “twisted.”

Despite his clarification, Azmi faced severe condemnation from political leaders, including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who labelled him a "traitor." “Azmi is a traitor and has no right to sit in the Assembly. He has always insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Sambhaji Maharaj,” Shinde said.

In addition to facing political backlash, multiple FIRs were registered against Azmi for allegedly hurting religious sentiments and defamation under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These complaints were filed even as Azmi clarified that his comments were made in the context of the upcoming film Chhava, which portrays the conflict between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb.​