THANE: A case has been registered against Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi at Wagle Estate Police Station in Thane following a complaint by Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske over his controversial comments on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, police confirmed on Tuesday.
The case, which stems from Mhaske’s complaint, has been filed under BNS sections 299, 302, 356(1), and 356(2).
Mhaske accused Azmi of making remarks that have hurt religious sentiments, specifically praising Aurangzeb.
He demanded that a sedition case be filed against Azmi, stating, “He has no right to stay in India. Aurangzeb destroyed thousands of Hindu temples, tortured women, and brutally persecuted Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He was against the country and looted our nation.”
Mhaske also emphasized that deputy CM Eknath Shinde had called for a sedition case against Azmi, stressing that the legal process must be followed.
The outrage
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi found himself in the center of a heated controversy on Monday following his remarks in praise of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. Azmi, who represents the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency, made the comments while discussing historical portrayals in the Bollywood film Chhava. Azmi claimed that history had been misrepresented and that Aurangzeb was not a cruel ruler.
“Wrong history is being shown. Aurangzeb built many temples. I do not consider him a cruel ruler. The battle between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb was about state administration, not about a religious conflict between Hindus and Muslims,” Azmi said.
His comments quickly drew backlash from political leaders, particularly from Shiv Sena’s Naresh Mhaske and Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Both leaders condemned Azmi’s statements and called for a sedition charge to be brought against him. Shiv Sena workers also gathered at the Wagle Estate police station in Thane, demanding swift action.
Azmi defends his viewpoint
Azmi defended his remarks, arguing that history had misrepresented Aurangzeb’s reign. He went on to explain that during Aurangzeb’s rule, India’s borders extended to Afghanistan, and the nation accounted for 24% of the global GDP. He suggested that India was considered a “golden bird” during that time, emphasizing the emperor’s administrative skills.
“I do not believe the conflict between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb was about religion,” Azmi said, drawing further criticism from those who believe his views downplay the emperor’s role in religious persecution.
As the controversy over his comments intensifies, political pressure is mounting on Azmi, with calls for legal action continuing to grow.
(With agency inputs)
