SP Leader Abu Azmi Suspended for Budget Session Over Aurangzeb Remarks, Calls Move Unjust

Mumbai, 6th March 2025: Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi was suspended yesterday for the entire duration of the ongoing Maharashtra budget session over his statements regarding Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, which were perceived as praise. However, Azmi has denounced the move as unjust and expressed concerns for his and his family’s safety.

Taking to social media platform X, Azmi criticized the suspension, stating, “This action by the government is arbitrary. My life and my family’s safety are at risk. Maharashtra appears to be operating under two sets of laws. If democracy no longer exists here, then the government is free to act against both the public and their elected representatives.”

Previously, Azmi had voiced his disappointment over the decision and signaled his willingness to retract his remarks in the interest of maintaining order in the Maharashtra Assembly. “To facilitate the smooth functioning of the House, I indicated my readiness to withdraw my statement. I said nothing incorrect, yet the controversy persists, disrupting proceedings. Despite retracting my comment—which was made outside the Assembly, not within it—I have still been suspended,” he remarked.

Azmi’s suspension has drawn sharp criticism from Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav, who denounced the move as a blow to freedom of speech. “If ideological biases begin to dictate suspensions, what remains of free expression? Our MLAs and MPs possess unparalleled conviction and intellect. Those who think suspension can silence them are merely indulging in the folly of their own negativity,” Yadav asserted.

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar announced Azmi’s suspension yesterday after a resolution condemning his remarks was passed in the House. Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Chandrakant Patil defended the move, stating that Azmi’s “controversial comments” had undermined the dignity of the Assembly, warranting disciplinary action.

Azmi had reportedly claimed that Aurangzeb was not a “tyrannical ruler” and had “constructed numerous temples.” He further argued that the conflict between Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a political struggle rather than a religious one.

His statements triggered widespread backlash, particularly from Shiv Sena leaders and their supporters, who have vowed to intensify their protests across Maharashtra.

Clarifying his stance, Azmi later insisted that his words had been taken out of context. He maintained that his comments were based on historical records and were not intended to disrespect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. “My words have been misinterpreted. I merely referenced what historians have documented about Aurangzeb. I did not intend to offend any great figures. However, if my remarks have hurt anyone, I retract them,” Azmi said in a video message on X.

Meanwhile, Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and a key figure in the INDIA bloc, strongly condemned Azmi’s remarks. “He should not just be suspended for the Budget Session; his suspension should be permanent,” Thackeray demanded.