Controversy Erupts as Abu Azmi Defends Aurangzeb's Legacy
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Maharashtra SP leader Abu Azmi faces backlash after defending Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, claiming he was not cruel. His comments have drawn sharp criticism from various political leaders, highlighting divisions in historical narratives.
Key Takeaways
- Azmi defends Aurangzeb, calling him not cruel.
- His remarks sparked political controversy.
- Eknath Shinde demands an apology from Azmi.
- Opposition leaders refute Azmi's claims about Aurangzeb.
- Historical debates on Aurangzeb continue in India.
Mumbai, March 3 (NationPress) Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi has faced significant backlash for his comments defending Mughal ruler Aurangzeb Alamgir, asserting that he was “not a cruel leader”. His statements have ignited controversy, resulting in intense criticism from political figures spanning various parties.
Azmi made these remarks while addressing reporters in Mumbai at the beginning of the Maharashtra Assembly session.
When questioned about Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent comparison of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to Aurangzeb, Azmi responded, “Aurangzeb constructed numerous temples. In Varanasi, he rescued a Hindu girl from a priest with ill intentions, having the priest crushed by elephants.”
Expanding on his perspective, Azmi continued, “I do not view Aurangzeb as a cruel ruler. During that time, power struggles were centered on politics, not on Hindu versus Muslim conflicts. Aurangzeb’s forces included many Hindus, just as Chhatrapati Shivaji’s army comprised numerous Muslims.”
He also argued that under Aurangzeb’s rule, “our territorial boundaries reached Afghanistan. Today, he is being unjustly vilified by invoking Hindu-Muslim tensions.”
Nevertheless, Azmi’s comments encountered fierce opposition. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde criticized his statements, labeling them unacceptable and demanding an apology.
Shinde remarked, “He must apologize for this because Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a patriot and a genuine nationalist. Aurangzeb was responsible for the horrific 40-day torture and execution of Sambhaji Maharaj. Glorifying Aurangzeb’s reign is a grave offense, and for this, Abu Azmi must apologize. By speaking against a patriot, he has positioned himself as anti-national.”
Maharashtra NCP leader and former MP Anand Paranjpe countered Azmi’s assertions. He told IANS, “Aurangzeb created divisions between Hindus and Muslims, destroyed many temples, and considering the brutal execution of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, he was undeniably a cruel ruler.”
Aurangzeb was the emperor of the Mughal Empire from 1658 to 1707.
