NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi over his controversial remarks praising Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. Calling for his removal from the party, Adityanath said, “Remove that person from (Samajwadi) party and send him to UP, we will do his treatment.”
The UP CM further questioned Azmi’s right to stay in the country, saying, “The person who feels ashamed about the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and considers Aurangzeb his idol, does he have the right to stay in our country? Samajwadi Party should answer this.”
The controversy erupted after Azmi, the SP’s Maharashtra president, claimed that India flourished under Aurangzeb, whose rule extended to Afghanistan and Myanmar. He also said Aurangzeb built temples and was not a cruel leader.
His remarks triggered widespread protests, with Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde accusing him of “treason.”
Cases have been registered against Azmi under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at police stations in Mumbai and Thane. A Zero FIR was first filed in Thane before being transferred to Mumbai.
Shiv Sena has announced statewide protests, demanding Azmi’s suspension from the Maharashtra Assembly and sedition charges against him.
The party accused him of insulting the legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, who was brutally tortured and executed by Aurangzeb.
Amid mounting pressure, Azmi issued an apology but maintained that his comments were based on historical accounts. “My words have been twisted. If anyone was hurt by my statement, I take back my words,” he said in a video message. However, he reiterated that his remarks were not intended to disrespect Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Sambhaji Maharaj.
Despite his apology, Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday until the end of the budget session.
