Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: Amid a political storm over Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi’s remarks about Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray criticized Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for defending Azmi. Thackeray remarked, “Let him object if he wants to. The entire Maharashtra has raised an objection against him. If he wants, he should make him contest from there (UP). He does not know the truth,” while speaking to reporters.
The controversy erupted after Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar suspended Abu Azmi for the entire duration of the ongoing budget session due to his comments on Aurangzeb. Azmi had reportedly stated that Aurangzeb was not a “cruel administrator” and had “built many temples,” asserting that the conflict between the Mughal emperor and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was about state administration and not a religious issue.
Akhilesh Yadav‘s Response:
In response to Azmi’s suspension, Akhilesh Yadav criticized the move, alleging that it was influenced by ideology and undermined democratic values. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Yadav questioned the basis for the suspension, stating:
“If the basis of suspension starts getting influenced by ideology, then what difference will remain between freedom of expression and slavery? Whether it is our MLAs or MPs, their fearless wisdom is unmatched. If some people think that by ‘suspension’ one can rein in truth, then this is the childishness of their negative thinking. Today’s free thinking says, we don’t want BJP.”
निलंबन का आधार यदि विचारधारा से प्रभावित होने लगेगा तो अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता और परतंत्रता में क्या अंतर रह जाएगा। हमारे विधायक हों या सांसद उनकी बेख़ौफ़ दानिशमंदी बेमिसाल है। कुछ लोग अगर सोचते हैं कि ‘निलंबन’ से सच की ज़ुबान पर कोई लगाम लगा सकता है तो फिर ये उनकी नकारात्मक सोच…
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 5, 2025
Clarification from Abu Azmi:
Amid the backlash, Abu Azmi clarified that his comments had been “twisted” and expressed willingness to retract them if they had hurt public sentiment. In a video posted on X, Azmi stated,
“I have said what historians and writers have claimed 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.”
Political Reactions:
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil, who moved the suspension proposal in the Maharashtra Assembly, argued that Azmi’s remarks had “hurt the dignity of the House.” The proposal was subsequently passed by Speaker Rahul Narwekar.
This incident has intensified the ongoing political rivalry in Maharashtra, with Uddhav Thackeray’s sharp remarks against Akhilesh Yadav signaling a widening rift between the opposition parties.