Mumbai : Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA and Maharashtra state president Abu Asim Azmi has written to Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, urging him to revoke his suspension from the legislative session. Azmi argues that his comments on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb were taken out of context and misrepresented by the media.
On March 5, 2025, Speaker Narwekar suspended Abu Azmi for the remainder of the ongoing budget session following allegations that his statements had disrespected the dignity of the House. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil proposed the suspension, citing Azmi’s remarks as offensive and unacceptable.
After being suspended from the Maharashtra Assembly over his remarks on Aurangzeb, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi has written a letter to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar, requesting the revocation of his suspension pic.twitter.com/GWKxg7Sijh
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Azmi’s Clarification on Controversial Remarks
In his letter to the Speaker, Abu Azmi clarified “On March 3, while leaving the hall, media representatives questioned me about Assam CM’s comparison of Rahul Gandhi to Aurangzeb. I cited historical facts from Meena Bhargava’s article and mentioned that Aurangzeb also supported temples.”
Accusations of Media Distortion
Azmi accused the media of distorting his statements, which he claims led to his unfair suspension. He asserted that certain media outlets attributed false statements to him, causing damage to his reputation.
“The media has deliberately misrepresented my statement to tarnish my image. I request the honorable Speaker to revoke my suspension as I am not guilty of any wrongdoing,” Abu Azmi stated in his letter.
Respect for Historical Figures
Addressing concerns that his remarks disrespected Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi expressed deep admiration for both historical figures. He clarified that he never intended to undermine their legacy and holds them in the highest regard.
“I have not made any derogatory remarks about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. I respect him immensely, and any claims suggesting otherwise are misleading,” Abu Azmi asserted.
Political Reactions to Azmi’s Suspension
Azmi’s suspension has sparked mixed reactions across Maharashtra’s political spectrum. While some leaders support the Speaker’s decision, others believe the action was excessive and an attack on free speech.
Supporters of the suspension argue that Azmi’s remarks were inappropriate and disrespectful. However, his allies contend that the punishment is an overreach and violates his right to express his views.
Azmi’s Call for Justice
In his letter, Azmi reiterated his call for justice, maintaining that his comments were based on verified historical sources. He urged Speaker Narwekar to conduct a fair review of his statements and lift the suspension.
“I request the Speaker to fairly assess the context of my remarks and withdraw my suspension,” he concluded.
