"A lobby is trying to portray Aurangzeb as cruel": JD(U)'s Khalid Anwar
Mar 05, 2025
Patna (Bihar) [India], March 5 : Amid the controversy over the suspension of Maharashtra SP MLA Abu Azmi for his remarks on Aurangzeb, JD(U) MLC Khalid Anwar said on Wednesday that discussions on historical figures should remain academic and not be politicized.
He further stated that historians have described Aurangzeb as a good ruler and not as cruel as he is often depicted.
"People have different opinions on Aurangzeb. Historians have said that Aurangzeb was a good ruler and he was not as cruel as he is portrayed; there is a lobby which is trying to portray him as cruel. This is an academic discussion, and it can't be discussed on the Floor of Parliament or in a political rally. So, academic discussion should be left as academic. I don't understand what a political party wants to gain through such misinformation against Aurangzeb," Anwar stated.
His remarks come in the wake of political tensions over Azmi's suspension, with leaders alleging ideological bias in the decision. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday attacked the Samajwadi Party and its Maharashtra MLA Abu Azmi over his controversial remarks on Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
Addressing the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, CM Yogi, while condemning the Samajwadi Party, asked them to remove Abu Azmi from the party and send him to Uttar Pradesh for "treatment".
CM Yogi said, "Samajwadi Party us (Abu Azmi) kambhakt ko nikalo party se, UP bhej do, baaki upchaar hum apne aap karwa lenge." ("Remove that person from (Samajwadi) party and send him to UP, we will do his treatment.)
Earlier today, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar suspended Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for the entire duration of the ongoing budget session on Wednesday over his remarks on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. A proposal was brought in the Maharashtra Assembly today against Azmi's remarks.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil said in the House that Azmi's objectionable statement had hurt the dignity of the House, leading to the proposal to suspend his membership for this session, which the Speaker passed.
Azmi had reportedly said that Aurangzeb was not a "cruel administrator" and "built many temples". He added that the battle between the Mughal emperor and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was for state administration and not about Hindu and Muslim.
