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
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."