NEW DELHI: After Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi withdrew his controversial statement on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Wednesday alleged that Azmi’s remarks were scripted by the BJP to divert public attention from key issues.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader said, “Abu Azmi reads out a script written by the BJP. Whenever the Government is in trouble and an important issue has to be diverted, this happens, and such statements are made.”
Azmi’s remarks had triggered outrage, especially from Shiv Sena, which demanded strict action against him. Following the backlash, he retracted his statement, stating that his words were based on historical references and had been misinterpreted.
The controversy has added to the ongoing political tensions in Maharashtra, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of using such controversies to shift focus from governance challenges.
Shiv Sena announces statewide protest against Abu Azmi’s remarks on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj
Shiv Sena on Tuesday announced a statewide protest against statements deemed disrespectful to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The party strongly condemned Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi’s remarks and demanded strict action against him.
Shiv Sena has called for a sedition case against Azmi and urged his suspension from the Maharashtra Assembly, accusing him of glorifying Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The party alleged that his comments insulted the legacy of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and hurt the sentiments of the people of Maharashtra.
Party leaders have warned of intensified agitation if immediate action is not taken. They have also urged the government to take a firm stand against any attempts to distort history and disrespect Maharashtra’s revered historical figures.
The controversy erupted after Azmi’s alleged remarks surfaced, triggering outrage among Shiv Sena leaders and supporters. The party has vowed to escalate protests across the state until their demands are met.
Abu Azmi retracts Aurangzeb remarks, claims words were twisted
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi on Tuesday apologized for his recent remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. However, he defended his statement, claiming that he merely echoed what historians and writers have documented about the Mughal ruler. Azmi emphasized that his comments were not intended to be against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj or Sambhaji Maharaj, asserting that his “words were twisted.”

“My words have been twisted. I have said what historians and writers have said about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Alaih. I have not made any derogatory comment about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj or any other great men – but still if anyone has been hurt by my statement, then I take back my words, my statement,” he said in a video posted on X.
“When I came out of the Assembly yesterday, the press asked me about a statement of Assam CM comparing Rahul Gandhi to Aurangzeb. I don’t know how he was, I only know what many historians said. Many historians have hailed him. There has been no ban on their books. I just repeated what they said,” he said.