After facing mounting pressure for distorting History, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi, an Aurangzeb fanboy, apologied for his recent remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. While playing victim card, he claimed that his words had been misinterpreted. Azmi claimed that he only reiterated what historians and writers have documented about the Mughal tyrant and maintained that his statement was not intended to be against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Sambhaji Maharaj.
“My words have been twisted. I have said what historians and writers have said about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Alaih. I have not made any derogatory comment about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, or any other great men. However, if anyone has been hurt by my statement, then I take back my words, my statement,” Azmi stated in a video posted on X.
The controversy erupted after Azmi claimed that India flourished under Aurangzeb’s reign, stating that the country’s GDP accounted for 24% of the world’s total and that India was referred to as the “golden sparrow” during his rule. He also mentioned that the country’s borders extended to Afghanistan and Myanmar under the Mughal emperor.
Following the remarks, an FIR was registered against Azmi based on a complaint filed by Lok Sabha MP Naresh Mhaske, alleging that his comments were intended to hurt religious sentiments. Initially filed in Naupada Police Station, Thane, the case was later transferred to Marine Drive police station in Mumbai under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, according to police officials.
Azmi defended his remarks, emphasizing that Aurangzeb’s administration was not solely anti-Hindu.
“If Aurangzeb had destroyed temples, he also destroyed mosques. Had he been against Hindus, 34% of Hindus would not have been part of his administration, and his advisors would not have been Hindus. It is true that India was a golden sparrow during his rule. There is no need to give a Hindu-Muslim angle to it,” Azmi told ANI.
The SP leader also stated that historical power struggles were primarily for control and property rather than religion. He asserted that he had made no remarks against “Hindu brothers” and accused political opponents of turning the issue into a controversy for their own gain.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seized on Azmi’s statements, questioning the I.N.D.I. alliance on their stance.
“I wish to ask the I.N.D.I.A. bloc leaders why Aurangzeb, who gave orders on April 6, 1669, to break temples, is being glorified by Congress. Are they not trying to demean Sambhaji Maharaj’s sacrifice and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy? The leader who killed his own brothers, imprisoned his father, and tortured Sikh gurus—glorifying such a figure for vote bank politics is insane,” a BJP leader said.
The party further accused the Samajwadi Party and Congress of attempting to spread communal hatred.