Maharashtra Legislature Adjourns After Turmoil Over Abu Azmi

Mumbai, March 4 (NationPress) Both the Houses of Maharashtra's legislature were suspended for the day on Tuesday after members of the treasury benches vocally demanded the filing of a sedition case against Samajwadi Party legislator Abu Azmi due to his praise of Aurangzeb.

The state Assembly faced adjournments three times—first for 10 minutes, then 30 minutes, and finally 15 minutes—before Speaker Rahul Narwekar declared the day’s session closed as the disruption between ruling and opposition members persisted over the Aurangzeb controversy.

Meanwhile, the state council was also paused twice, first for 30 minutes and again for 15 minutes, before the presiding officer called for an adjournment in light of the noisy proceedings.

As soon as the Assembly proceedings were initiated, members from the ruling MahaYuti coalition asserted that Azmi is a descendant of Aurangzeb, who had tortured Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and ultimately executed him. BJP legislator Atul Bhatkalkar insisted that Azmi be charged with treason and suspended during the budget session.

Gulabrao Patil, a minister from Shiv Sena, also pushed for action against Azmi. Additionally, BJP legislator Sudhir Mungantiwar called for the demolition of Aurangzeb's grave. Following this uproar, the Speaker adjourned the House for another 10 minutes.

Upon reconvening, Industries Minister Uday Samant reiterated the call for Azmi's suspension and charges of treason. Amid continued chaos, the House was again adjourned for 30 minutes.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde condemned Azmi, asserting he should be prosecuted under sedition laws and removed from the legislature. He stated, 'Abu Azmi consistently and purposefully insults Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. He is anti-national and unfit to remain in this House.' Shinde recounted the brutalities Aurangzeb inflicted on Sambhaji Maharaj, emphasizing, 'Praising such a tyrant is an affront to our national heroes and patriots.'

Shiv Sena UBT legislator Bhaskar Jadhav challenged the treasury benches to file a sedition case against Azmi, pointing out that the BJP-led government is in power both at the Centre and in Maharashtra.

The House was then adjourned for another 15 minutes and subsequently closed for the day. Notably, Azmi was absent during the session; however, he addressed the media in the Vidhan Bhavan premises before departing.

Within the state council, BJP legislator Praveen Darekar highlighted the demand for action against Azmi, joined by other MahaYuti legislators.

Conversely, opposition parties raised concerns regarding controversial remarks made by Marathi actor Rahul Solapurkar about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and threats allegedly directed at historian Indrajit Sawant by a Nagpur-based individual Prashant Koratkar. Nevertheless, the treasury benches maintained their calls for action against Azmi, prompting the presiding officer to adjourn the House for 30 minutes.

After the House reconvened, disturbances continued, leading to yet another 15-minute adjournment.

Opposition leader Ambadas Danve accused the treasury benches of silencing opposition microphones. Amidst the uproar, the presiding officer eventually declared the council adjourned for the entire day.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena announced plans to organize protests statewide against the perceived insult to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and to denounce Azmi’s assertion that Aurangzeb was a commendable administrator.