Mumbai: The legislative council was adjourned thrice as members of the ruling party created a ruckus and rushed to the well of the house, demanding an apology from Shiv Sena (UBT) politician Anil Parab for a remark “likening” himself to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
Parab said the issue was misinterpreted and his words misconstrued. Ruling party members shouted slogans demanding an apology. Council chairman Ram Shinde said the remark was likely to be expunged from the records.
While speaking to media persons, Parab said: “I am a true Shiv Sainik and have not insulted Sambhaji Maharaj or anyone else. I worship Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, considering them as deities, and I have not compared myself to them. I have not insulted anyone in my speech on the floor of the house, so there is no question of apologising.
“I only said that Sambhaji Maharaj was tortured to force him to change religion, and I was harassed immensely in the past to compel me to change my party. I have never equated myself with Maharaj.”
Earlier this week, the assembly suspended Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Asim Azmi from the membership of the house till the end of the ongoing budget session over his remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Azmi said on social media that his comments were misinterpreted. “Whatever I said about Aurangzeb has been stated by historians and writers. I did not insult Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj, or any national icons. However, if anyone was hurt by my remarks, I take them back,” he said.