Eknath Shinde demands sedition case against Abu Azmi for praising Aurangzeb
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has demanded that a sedition case be filed against Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi for his remarks praising Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Shinde called Azmi a "traitor" and stated that glorifying Aurangzeb was a "great sin."
The controversy erupted on the first day of the Maharashtra Assembly's budget session when Azmi described Aurangzeb as a "great administrator" and claimed that India was known as 'Sone Ki Chidiya' during his reign. He further asserted that the conflict between Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was about state administration rather than religion.
Reacting sharply, Shinde said, "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj are our gods. Aurangzeb brutally killed Sambhaji Maharaj after 40 days of torture. Praising Aurangzeb is a great sin, and Abu Azmi should apologise." He added that speaking against those who uphold patriotism amounts to "treason."
Following Shinde's remarks, Shiv Sena activists lodged a police complaint against Azmi at Mumbai's Marine Drive police station, while the party’s Thane MP filed another complaint at Wagle Estate police station.
Azmi, defending his statement, said, "Wrong history is being presented. Aurangzeb built many temples. I do not see him as a cruel ruler. During his time, India's borders extended to Afghanistan, and our GDP was 24 per cent. The battle between Aurangzeb and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was not about religion."
NCP chief spokesperson Anand Paranjape dismissed Azmi’s claims, stating that Aurangzeb "divided Hindus and Muslims" and was responsible for the "brutal execution" of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey also criticised Azmi for his remarks.
The statement has drawn widespread criticism from both ruling and opposition parties, particularly amid the positive public reception to the film Chhaava, which depicts Aurangzeb's atrocities against Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
