The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution by voice vote, proposing the suspension of Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi until the conclusion of the ongoing Budget Session.
The resolution, moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil, was passed in response to Azmi’s remarks glorifying Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and allegedly defaming Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, which were deemed as harming the dignity of the House.
BJP legislator Sudhir Mungantiwar suggested that Azmi’s suspension should not be limited to the Budget Session but should extend for his entire term.
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar also condemned the glorification of Aurangzeb, stating that the Opposition would not tolerate any disrespect toward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He called for strict action against those making such remarks.
Speaker Rahul Narwekar then put the resolution to vote, and it was passed by voice vote amid chants of "Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai" raised by the Opposition.
Azmi’s suspension comes a day after he retracted his controversial statement, in which he claimed that Aurangzeb should not be viewed as a “cruel ruler” but rather as an “administrator.”
On Tuesday, both Houses of the state legislature were adjourned after Treasury Bench members strongly objected to Azmi’s remarks.
Azmi had sparked controversy on Monday when he told the media outside the Vidhan Bhavan: "Aurangzeb was a great administrator, and during his time, India was known as ‘Sone Ki Chidiya’ (golden bird). Under his rule, India’s GDP was 24%, which attracted the British to Bharat."
He also asserted, "History is being misrepresented. Aurangzeb constructed numerous temples. I do not think of him as a cruel administrator. The war between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Aurangzeb was a struggle about state administration, not between Hindus and Muslims."
These statements attracted stinging criticism from MahaYuti MPs. The Shiv Sena filed police complaints against Azmi in Marine Drive and Thane police stations, seeking action under sedition laws.
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