Samajwadi Party Leader Abu Azmi was suspended from the Assembly and is not allowed to enter the premises till the Maharashtra Budget session ends. He is being suspended for praising Mugal Emperor Aurangzeb. Many political leaders are not satisfied with his suspension and demand that he be removed from the MLA post. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Abu Azmi should be removed from the Samajwadi Party and sent to Uttar Pradesh.
Yogi Adityanath spoke about Abu Azmi’s remarks in the UP Assembly Session. He said, “Remove that person from (Samajwadi) party and send him to UP, we will do his treatment. Does the person who feels ashamed about the heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, instead of taking pride and considering Aurangzeb as his idol, have the right to stay in our country? Samajwadi Party should answer this.”
He further asked why the Samajwadi Party is unable to control its leaders. He said, “On one hand, you keep blaming Maha Kumbh...on the other hand, you praise a person like Aurangzeb, who destroyed the temples of the country...why can't you control that MLA of yours? Why didn't you condemn his statement?”
Cabinet Minister of Fisheries & Ports Development, Nitesh Rane, said they are not satisfied with Abu Azmi just being suspended; they want Abu Azmi to not serve as MLA anymore. He said, “We are not satisfied with his suspension; we want that he should not be an MLA anymore. We have given a proposal that a committee should be made for more punishment. We don't need such a people's representative here, he should be sent to Pakistan.”
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, slamming Abu Azmi for praising the Mugal Emperor, said, "This is what Muslim leaders like Abu Azmi have in mind. How can such a huge sin occur? Aurangzeb was a tyrannical ruler who destroyed our temples, committed atrocities against our kings and princes, and brutally killed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj..."
Abu Azmi, praising the Mugal ruler, said, “Wrong history is being shown in 'Chaava'... Aurangzeb built several temples. I do not think he was a cruel administrator.” He also stated that India was known as ‘Sone Ki Chirya’ (Golden Bird) when Aurangzeb was ruling, and the country’s economy accounted for 24% of the global GDP.
On March 5, Abu Azmi apologised for his remarks and said that his words had been twisted. He also said that he was ready to take back his statement and apologise if sentiments were hurt.