Despite Clarification and Retraction, Suspended Under BJP Pressure for Entire Session
New Delhi: Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi has been suspended from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly until the end of the ongoing budget session for allegedly praising Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The session is set to conclude on March 26.
On Wednesday, State Minister Chandrakant Patil introduced a motion for Azmi’s suspension, which was passed through a voice vote. Lawmakers argued that Azmi’s remarks were an insult to Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
Azmi, who represents the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency in Mumbai, had stated that during Aurangzeb’s reign, India’s borders extended to Afghanistan and Burma (now Myanmar). He also claimed that India’s GDP at that time accounted for 24% of the global economy and that the country was known as the Golden Sparrow.
When questioned about the historical conflict between Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi referred to it as a political battle. His remarks triggered a massive backlash, with ruling party members demanding his suspension and even calling for sedition charges against him.
Following the controversy, Azmi defended his statements, asserting they were based on historical facts. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he claimed his words were misinterpreted.
“I have not made any derogatory remarks about Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, or any national figure. However, if anyone was hurt by my comments, I withdraw them,” he stated.
Despite his clarification, the assembly moved forward with his suspension, adding another layer of controversy to Maharashtra’s legislative politics.
