MLA Azmi’s praise for Aurangzeb continues to rock Maharashtra assembly

Mumbai: The comments of Abu Asim Azmi eulogising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb continue to rock the Vidhan Bhavan complex for the second day on Tuesday with the ruling Maha Yuti and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi slamming the Samajwadi Party MLA even as he is facing an FIR.

Meanwhile, Azmi said that he had said nothing offensive against legendary Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.

Both the Houses of the Maharashtra Legislature had to be adjourned on Tuesday for the day after members of the ruling alliance were on their feet demanding the suspension of Azmi, who is the SP’s Maharashtra unit President.

The developments came on a day when the Opposition combine was planning to corner the Devendra Fadnavis-led government over the resignation of NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, whose aide Walmik Karad has been arrested in a murder case besides demanding the resignation of another NCP minister Manikrao Kokate, who has been convicted in a 30-year-old cheating case.

As soon as the proceedings of the Assembly and Council began, the ruling alliance members started raising slogans seeking action against Azmi.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who is the Shiv Sena chief leader, spearheaded the government charge against Azmi in both the Houses.

In a related development, the Marine Drive police station in Mumbai registered an FIR against Azmi after the Thane police transferred a complaint filed with them.

Shinde urged Azmi to learn the real history of Sambhaji Maharaj instead of spreading falsehoods about Aurangzeb. Quoting a verse, he said, “…Desh dharam par mitne wala sher Shiva ka chhawa tha, maha parakrami, param pratapi, ek hi Shambhu Raja tha…”

Shinde demanded that a sedition case be filed against him in both Houses of the legislature.

Shinde paid tributes to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, calling him a protector of dharma and Swarajya. “People like him may physically live in India, but mentally they still dwell in Mughal rule. They have no connection with the country’s history or culture…. The world knows what kind of ruler Aurangzeb was. He was a cruel tyrant, not an able administrator. We completely reject those who glorify such a monster,” Shinde declared.

He further asserted that no matter how much Azmi distorts history, he cannot change the truth—a history written with the valour and sacrifice of the Marathas.

“Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who fought 69 battles in nine years, was a true warrior and an excellent administrator,” he said.

In his clarification, Azmi in a video statement said, "Yesterday, on March 3, when the Assembly ended and I came out, the media told me that the Chief Minister of Assam had compared Rahul Gandhi to Aurangzeb. In response, I spoke about Aurangzeb, but my words were blown out of proportion as if a storm had come. I have not insulted anyone…."

"My words have been twisted. I have said what historians and writers have said about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Ali. I have not made any derogatory comment about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj or any other great men - but still if anyone has been hurt by my statement, then I take back my words, my statement.”

Leaders after leaders slammed Azmi calling him anti-national and demanding suspension for the remainder of the term.

On Monday, Azmi had said, “I don’t take the arguments that Aurangzeb was a cruel administrator…on the contrary he was an able administrator…All the wrong history is being shown. Aurangzeb built many temples...Aurangzeb is not a cruel leader…when he was the Mughal emperor, the empire was spread from Afghanistan to Burma…the country was known as ‘sone ke chidiya’ during his regime…there were several Hindu commanders and soldiers in Aurangzeb’s army…the fight between Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not religion.”