SP MLA Abu Azmi Requests Maharashtra Speaker To Revoke His Suspension: 'Attempt Made To Malign My Image'

Azmi argued that his statement was taken out of context and that meant no disrespect to both Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

SP MLA Abu Azmi wrote to Maharashtra Assembly speaker requesting the revocation of his suspension.

Source : PTI

Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief Abu Azmi wrote a letter to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar requesting that his suspension be revoked. The SP MLA was suspended on Wednesday over his remarks on Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, which sparked a massive row in Maharashtra.

In his letter, Azmi argued that his statement was taken out of context and that meant no disrespect to both Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

"My statement was taken out of context. Everything I said was actually based on quotes of many other Historians and writers. I did not make any controversial remarks about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. I respect both Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj...I respectfully request the revocation of my suspension," he wrote.

Azmi Says He Quoted Historical Facts

Azmi has also accused the media of "maligning" him and "misrepresenting" his statement. He clarified that he was being followed by mediapersons who wanted his reaction to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma invoking Aurangzeb while slamming Rahul Gandhi.

"On March 3, media representatives followed me while leaving the hall. Outside the hall, they asked me the question that the Chief Minister of Assam compared Rahul Gandhi to Aurangzeb. In this context, I quoted Meena Bhargava's article and said he helped the temples," Azmi said.

"No statement has been made about Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. I showed respect for them. My image has been tarnished by attributing to me words which I didn't speak," the letter read.

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

— IANS (@ians_india) March 7, 2025

During an interview, Azmi had described Aurangzeb as a great administrator and that the country flourished under his rule. He added that the conflict between Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, calling it political rather than religious.

Issuing a clarification for this, the SP MLA said: "During the time of Aurangzeb, India's borders reached Brahmadesh and Afghanistan and people had a lot of gold in their homes and there was a golden age in India. I have said that Aurangzeb was a good administrator while quoting the above historical facts. Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Shivaji or Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj were not fighting for religion but for power and land. I do not believe in caste and religion discrimination," Azmi said.