Mumbai: The controversy surrounding Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi’s remarks on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb refuses to die down, with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde now demanding his suspension from the House.
“His statement will cost him… He will be suspended. We have formally demanded action against him,” Shinde declared on Tuesday, further fueling the political storm.
Azmi, who had earlier retracted his statement, maintained that his remarks were misinterpreted. “I never insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, or any other great leader. If my words hurt anyone, I apologize and take them back,” he said in a video message.
Despite his apology, the issue has taken a political turn, with the ruling alliance using it as a rallying point against the opposition. Azmi has alleged that his words are being deliberately twisted to create unrest during the ongoing budget session.
The controversy erupted after Azmi’s claim that “wrong history” was being propagated, stating, “Aurangzeb built many temples… Aurangzeb was not a cruel leader.” His statement triggered strong reactions from BJP and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) leaders, who accused him of glorifying a controversial historical figure.
