The issue of Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi's remarks eulogising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb rocked both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature on Tuesday, with the ruling Mahayuti members demanding his suspension and charging him with treason.
Both the Houses were adjourned over the issue.
In Delhi, the BJP latched on to Azmi's remarks and slammed the Congress and other opposition parties, stating that they could stoop down to any level in their bid to "eradicate" Sanatan Dharma.
The development came on a day when the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi planned to corner the government over NCP minister Dhananjay Munde's resignation.
As proceedings of both the Houses began, the Mahayuti members started raising slogans seeking action against Azmi, who is SP's state president.
They claimed Azmi was a descendent of Aurangzeb, who tortured Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and brutally killed him.
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena head Eknath Shinde led the attack on Azmi both in the legislative council and assembly.
In the council, the former CM said Azmi also made objectionable statements in the past against Shivaji Maharaj.
"Abu Azmi is purposely insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and (his son) Chhatrapati Sambhaji. Sambhaji's Maharaj's bravery and Aurangzeb's cruelty will give goosebumps to people," Shinde said in the council.
Aurangzeb tortured Sambhaji Maharaj in an inhuman way. Azmi referred to Aurangzeb as an able administrator who built temples but he razed Kashi Vishveshwar temple, Shinde said.
The Mughal emperor not only killed Hindus but also people from other religions, he said.
The deputy CM also demanded that Azmi's membership of the legislative assembly be revoked.
In the assembly, Shinde dubbed Azmi a "traitor" and said he had no right to sit in the House.
He asked SP MLA Raees Shaikh to watch the recent Hindi film 'Chhaava', which has documented the bravery and sacrifice of Sambhaji Maharaj.
"See the torture Sambhaji Maharaj endured for 40 days. Aurangzeb asked him to change his religion," he said.
Sambhaji Maharaj won 70 battles in nine years, he said, adding that Aurangzeb demolished temples and killed his own family.
The assembly proceedings were adjourned three times after din over the issue, and later adjourned for the day.
Azmi had said that during Aurangzeb's reign, India's border reached Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar).
"Our GDP accounted for 24 per cent (of the world GDP) and India was called a golden sparrow (during his regime)," claimed the MLA from Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency in Mumbai.
Asked about the fight between Aurangzeb and Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Azmi had termed it a political battle.
In the legislative council, Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve said not only Azmi but those insulting national icons, including Chhatrapati Shivaji, should be punished, and referred to statements of actor Rahul Solapurkar and former journalist Prashant Koratkar.
Council Chairman Ram Shinde said the government should take strict action against whoever has spoken against national icons and Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Following din over Azmi's comments, the Upper House was briefly adjourned twice and then for the day.
In Delhi, BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi termed Azmi's remarks an "insult to the entire Indian society" and alleged that the opposition INDIA bloc constituents are engaged in a "cut-throat competition" with each other to prove themselves anti-Hindu for minority votes.
He also called the comments a "cruel joke" on the traditions established by Chhatrapati Shivaji and the sacrifices made by Chhatrapati Sambhaji.
Meanwhile, the Mumbai police began a probe into a case registered against Azmi over his remarks.
An FIR was registered on Monday against Azmi by police in neighbouring Thane, which was later transferred to Mumbai.
The Mumbai police booked Azmi under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting religion or religious beliefs), 302 (uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings) and 356(1) & 356(2) (defamation).
Follow us
