Abu Azmi's Aurangzeb Remark Gets Him Suspended: 'Unfair', He Claims

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu) :  In a dramatic turn of events, Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi was suspended from the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday for his controversial remarks on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The suspension came after a heated debate in the Assembly, with members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena demanding action against Azmi for his "anti-national" comments.

The Aurangzeb Remark

Azmi had sparked outrage on Tuesday by saying that Aurangzeb was a "great emperor" who had built several mosques and temples. His comments were seen as an attempt to defend the Mughal ruler, who is widely regarded as a tyrant and a symbol of Islamic intolerance.

BJP, Shiv Sena Demand Action

The BJP and Shiv Sena, which are part of the ruling alliance in Maharashtra, had demanded Azmi's suspension and even his arrest for his comments. They accused him of "hurting Hindu sentiments" and "promoting anti-national ideology."

Assembly Speaker Intervenes

After a heated debate, Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagde intervened and suspended Azmi for the rest of the session. The Speaker said that Azmi's comments had "hurt the sentiments of the House" and that his suspension was necessary to maintain order.

Azmi Cries Injustice

Azmi, who was present in the Assembly when the suspension was announced, cried injustice and said that he was being targeted for his "honest opinions." He claimed that his comments on Aurangzeb were being "misinterpreted" and that he was being "victimised" by the ruling party.

Opposition Supports Azmi

The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) came out in support of Azmi, saying that his suspension was "undemocratic" and "unfair." They accused the ruling party of trying to "suppress dissenting voices" and "stifle free speech."