Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 4 : Reacting sharply to Samajwadi Party leader and Maharashtra MLA Abu Azmi's remarks about Aurangzeb, Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant said that this statement was directly or indirectly against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He also demanded that the MLA be suspended immediately.
"It is condemnable to praise the enemies of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. We agree with whatever our leader Eknath Shinde said in his speech... This statement was directly or indirectly against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and we demand that the MLA be suspended immediately and a case of treason be registered against him..., he told ANI.
Abu Azmi kicked up a political storm earlier for calling the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb a "good administrator," drawing strong criticism from various leaders. The SP leader Abu Azmi has since retracted his statement, saying that his words had been twisted and misinterpreted.
"My words have been twisted. I have said what historians and writers have claimed about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Ali," read Azmi's X post.
"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," Azmi added.
Earlier today, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath demanded a sedition case against Abu Azmi for his remarks.
"We condemn the murderer of Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, i.e. Aurangzeb whose melodies the Assembly member Abu Azmi sings," Shinde said.
Expressing his respect for Sambhaji Maharaj, the deputy CM added, "I salute Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the protector of religion and freedom, and his bravery. Although people like Abu Azmi live in India physically, they live in the Mughals in their minds. They have nothing to do with the history and culture of the country. The world knows what kind of ruler Aurangzeb was. Aurangzeb was cruel. What a great administrator he was. We condemn the Pilawali who is aiding such monsters."
A zero FIR was registered against Abu Azmi in the Naupada Police Station of Thane and was transferred to the Marine Drive police station in Mumbai in connection with his remarks on Aurangzeb.