Abu Azmi Writes to Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar To Revoke His Suspension

Samajwadi Party MLA and Maharashtra state president Abu Azmi wrote a letter on Friday, March 7, to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar seeking the withdrawal of his suspension from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Azmi had praised Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, which led to controversy and his subsequent suspension from the Assembly. He has now appealed to the Speaker to revoke the suspension.

In his letter, Azmi stated that after his expulsion from the House on March 3, the media started following him. Reporters questioned him about Aurangzeb and his alleged comparison of Aurangzeb with Rahul Gandhi. In response, Azmi said that the British were attracted to India by Aurangzeb’s reign.

Abu Azmi Letter to Speaker

सपा प्रदेशाध्यक्ष एवं आमदार अबू आसिम आज़मी जी का अन्यायपूर्ण विधानसभा से निलंबन तत्काल रद्द करने और उन्हें और उनके परिवार को मिल रही धमकियों को देखते हुए उन्हें Z श्रेणी की सुरक्षा दिए जाने की मांग को लेकर सपा मालेगांव इकाई द्वारा जिलाधिकारी कार्यालय पर आंदोलन, राज्यपाल के नाम… pic.twitter.com/kP5LEzmR31

— Samajwadi Party Maharashtra Pradesh (@SamajwadiMah) March 7, 2025

Clarifying his statement, Azmi said, "I referred to history and stated that Aurangzeb was a great ruler. There was no religious conflict between Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. It was a battle for power and land. I do not discriminate based on caste or religion. My statement was made in a historical context. I have not made any controversial remarks about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. I hold great respect for Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. My words were misrepresented by the media, which is why I am requesting the revocation of my suspension."

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated in the Legislative Council on Thursday that Abu Azmi, who was suspended from the Assembly for praising Aurangzeb, "will be sent to 100 per cent jail." He further said, "Praising Aurangzeb is an insult to Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his warrior son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj."