Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) President Abu Azmi has sparked a major political controversy in Maharashtra by defending Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, stating that he was “not a cruel ruler.” His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from leaders across party lines.  


Azmi made the comments while speaking to reporters in Mumbai at the commencement of the Maharashtra Assembly session. When asked about Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent comparison of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with Aurangzeb, Azmi asserted that Aurangzeb had been misrepresented in history. ALSO READ | ‘If Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee Think They Can End Hinduism...’: Himanta Sarma’s ‘Aurangzeb’ Jibe In Kolkata


"Aurangzeb got several temples built. In Varanasi, he saved a Hindu girl child from a priest who had an evil eye on her. He had the priest trampled by elephants," Azmi said, as per IANS. He further argued, "I don’t consider Aurangzeb a cruel ruler. During that era, power struggles were about politics, not about Hindus versus Muslims. Aurangzeb’s army had many Hindus, and similarly, Chhatrapati Shivaji's army had several Muslims."  


He also claimed that under Aurangzeb’s rule, the empire’s territorial boundaries extended up to Afghanistan, adding, "Today, he is being vilified by invoking Hindu-Muslim divisions."  


Azmi also criticised what he called a distorted portrayal of Aurangzeb in modern films. "Wrong things are being said about Aurangzeb," he remarked, as per India Today. When asked directly whether he considered Aurangzeb a cruel ruler, Azmi firmly responded, "No. I don't think so. Absolutely not."


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Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Labels Azmi’s Remarks As 'Great Sin', Demands 'Treason' Case


Azmi’s remarks were met with a strong backlash. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned his statements, calling them unacceptable and demanding an apology.  


"He must apologise for this because Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a patriot and a true nationalist. Aurangzeb was responsible for the brutal 40-day torture and execution of Sambhaji Maharaj. Glorifying Aurangzeb’s rule is a serious offence, and for this, Abu Azmi must apologise. By speaking against a patriot, he has positioned himself as anti-national," Shinde said, as quoted by IANS.  


Speaking to IANS, Maharashtra NCP leader and former MP Anand Paranjpe refuted Azmi’s claims. "Aurangzeb divided Hindus and Muslims, destroyed many temples, and considering the brutal execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, he was indeed a cruel ruler," Paranjpe remarked.  


Shinde reacted strongly, calling Azmi’s remarks a “great sin.” "Eulogising the same Aurangzeb that tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj for 40 days, plucked his nails, gouged out his eyes, skinned him, cut off his tongue is a massive sin. Abu Azmi should apologise for this," he said, as quoted by ANI.  


Shinde further added that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has taken the matter seriously and demanded that Azmi be tried for treason.  






Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske lodged a case against the Maharashtra Samajwadi Party President at Wagle Estate Police Station over his statement on Aurangzeb.


"A sedition case should be filed against Abu Azmi. He has no right to stay in India. Aurangzeb who destroyed thousands of Hindu temples, tortured women, brutally tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, was against the country, he looted our country...our leader Eknath Shinde has demanded this morning itself that a sedition case should be filed against him. Today we have come here to file a sedition case against him," he said, as per ANI.






'Aurangzeb Also Destroyed Mosques': Abu Azmi Defends His Remarks


As a row erupted, the Maharashtra SP Leader doubled down on his defence for the Mughal emperor.


"If Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Alaih had destroyed temples, he also destroyed mosques. Had he been against Hindus, 34 per cent of Hindus would not have been with him (in 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 Hindu-Muslim angles to it," Azmi told ANI.






He remarked that the power and property struggle among kings in the past "was not religious". He also stressed that he hasn't made any remarks against "Hindu brothers".


"The kings back then used to struggle for power and property, but it was nothing religious. He (Aurangzeb) ruled for 52 years, and if he was really converting Hindus into Muslims - imagine the number of Hindus that would have converted. In the 1857 rebellion, when Mangal Pandey started the fight, it was Bahadur Shah Zafar who supported him," Azmi said. "This country will run by the constitution, and I haven't said a word against Hindu brothers," he added.


Azmi’s remarks come weeks after the release of the Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhava, a film based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, directed by Laxman Utekar. The movie features Vicky Kaushal in the titular role, while Akshaye Khanna portrays Aurangzeb.