Maharashtra: Abu Azmi calls his suspension “arbitrary”; alleges threat to his family
Mumbai: Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Azmi described the suspension as “arbitrary” and claimed threats to his life and his family after he was banned for the whole Maharashtra budget session for his comments on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Azmi voiced his worries on the social networking site X, writing, “My suspension is arbitrary on the part of the government, and my life and the lives of my family are in danger.” Maharashtra has two laws that allow the government to do whatever it wants to the people and their elected representatives if democracy has been lost in the state.
“I spoke about withdrawing my statement to ensure that the House functions,” he stated before this, expressing his unhappiness about the suspension. I didn’t say anything incorrectly. Nevertheless, there is a dispute and the House’s business is being held up. I took back the comment I made outside the Assembly, not in the House, to make sure the House runs well and that some work gets done during the Budget Session. I’ve been suspended, however.
Akhilesh Yadav, the former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and leader of the Samajwadi Party, also backed Azmi, arguing that the suspension infringed on his right to free speech.
“What distinguishes freedom of speech from servitude if the foundation for suspension begins to be shaped by ideology? The courageous knowledge of our MPs and MLAs is unparalleled. According to Akhilesh Yadav, “this is the childishness of their negative thinking if some people believe that by suspension’ one can rein them in.”
Due to his comments on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi was suspended by Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar earlier Wednesday for the length of the current budget session.
In response to Azmi’s comments, a motion was presented to the Maharashtra Assembly today.
The Speaker approved the request to suspend Azmi’s membership for the current session after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil said that Azmi’s offensive remark had damaged the House’s honor. According to reports, Azmi said that Aurangzeb “built many temples” and was not a “cruel administrator.”
He went on to say that the conflict between Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and the Mughal emperor was about state management rather than religion.
