Leaders from the Mahayuti alliance held a protest outside the entrance of the Maharashtra Assembly, condemning the remarks made by Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi, in which he praised the controversial Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The protest turned violent as the demonstrators expressed their strong opposition to Azmi's statements, which many deemed to be inflammatory and disrespectful to the sentiments of the people.
During the protest, the crowd gathered around a photo banner of Azmi, demanding a public apology for his comments. In a moment of intense anger, the protesters damaged the photo, further escalating tensions. The incident quickly drew attention from various political groups, with Mahayuti leaders accusing Azmi of glorifying a ruler known for his oppressive policies, particularly towards Hindus, which has been a subject of historical debate.
A case has been registered against against the MLA in Thane for hurting and insulting religious sentiments.A case has been registered at the Wagle Estate Police Station under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including, 299 (criminalises deliberate and malicious attempts to insult the religious beliefs of any group of people in India), 302 (intentionally hurting someone's religious feelings), 356(1) (defamation) and 356(2) punishment for defamation up to two years in jail, a fine, or both), based on a complaint filed by Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske. The complainant, Mhaske, claimed that Azmi's remarks defending Aurangzeb's rule had hurt religious sentiments.
Going a step further, Mhaske said that Azmi has no right to stay in India and a case of the sedition (now repealed) should be filed against Azmi. Demanding an apology from Azmi, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde pointed out that glorifying Aurangzeb, who "tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj for 40 days" is a "massive team.""Eulogising the same Aurangzeb that tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj for 40 days, plucked his nails, gouged out his eyes, skinned him, cut off his tongue is a massive sin. Abu Azmi should apologise for this," a visibly angry Shinde was quoted as saying by ANI.
Azmi, who is the Samajwadi Party's Maharashtra president, had said that during Aurangzeb's reign, India's border reached Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar). "Our GDP accounted for 24 per cent (of the world GDP)) and India was called a golden sparrow (during his regime)," claimed the MLA from the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency in Mumbai.Asked about the fight between Aurangzeb and Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi had termed it a political battle.A recent Hindi film, 'Chhaava', starring Vicky Kaushal has documented the bravery and sacrifice of Sambhaji Maharaj.