Abu Azmi Will 100% Go to Jail: After Yogi's 'Upchaar' Warning, Fadnavis' Strong Message For SP MLA

New Delhi: The controversy over Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Abu Asim Azmi’s remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb escalated on Wednesday, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warning that Azmi will be "100 per cent" put in jail.  

During a discussion in the legislative council, Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve (Shiv Sena-UBT) questioned why Azmi had not been jailed for his statements. 

In response, Fadnavis stated, "He will be 100 per cent put in jail," as reported by PTI.  

The uproar follows Azmi’s suspension from the Maharashtra Assembly. 

Uddhav Thackeray Calls for Permanent Suspension

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also weighed in on the controversy, demanding strict action against Azmi. 

"He should be permanently suspended from the assembly," Thackeray said, according to PTI. He further criticized SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for defending Azmi, stating, "Let him object if he wants to. 

The entire Maharashtra has raised an objection against him. If he wants, he should make him contest from there (UP). He does not know the truth."  

Yogi Adityanath Challenges Akhilesh Yadav

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attacked Azmi and took a dig at Akhilesh Yadav, saying, "Remove that person from the Samajwadi Party and send him to UP, we will do his treatment."  

The remarks have fueled tensions between the BJP and the SP, with Adityanath questioning whether the SP would take action against Azmi for his statements.  

What Did Abu Azmi Say?

The controversy erupted after Azmi commented on the portrayal of history in the upcoming Bollywood film Chhava. On Monday, he claimed that Aurangzeb’s legacy had been misrepresented, stating, "Wrong things are being said about Aurangzeb. 

He constructed a lot of temples for Hindus. He even got one of his soldiers trampled by elephants when he wanted to marry a Hindu priest’s daughter. As a mark of their gratitude, they constructed a mosque for Muslims. History has been distorted."  

Azmi further claimed that during Aurangzeb’s reign, India’s borders extended to Afghanistan and Burma (Myanmar), and that the country accounted for 24% of the world’s GDP at the time.  

His remarks were met with strong opposition, with BJP leaders arguing that praising Aurangzeb was an insult to Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his son Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.  

Azmi Retracts Statement Amid Backlash

Following widespread outrage, Azmi released a video statement through his office, clarifying that he had not intended to disrespect anyone. While maintaining that he had not said anything wrong, he retracted his comments to ensure the “smooth functioning of the assembly.”