Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi has apologized after facing backlash for praising Aurangzeb and his administration. He had claimed that during Aurangzeb’s rule, India was known as the “golden bird” and contributed 24% to the world’s GDP. This statement sparked a major controversy in Maharashtra, with ruling coalition parties—BJP and Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena—creating an uproar in the Assembly.

Now, Abu Azmi has issued an apology, clarifying that he did not make the statement with any ill intent. He stated that his words were misrepresented, leading to unnecessary controversy. “A journalist had asked me about an Assam leader comparing Rahul Gandhi to Aurangzeb. In response, I mentioned the perspectives of historians like Awadh Ojha, Ram Puniyani, and Rajiv Dixit. However, I never intended to disrespect anyone,” Azmi explained.

He further emphasized, “We respect great personalities like Chhatrapati Shivaji, Sambhaji Maharaj, Shahuji Maharaj, and Jyotiba Phule, and always will. I have never spoken ill of any historical figure. If anyone feels offended by my words, I take them back. The Assembly should function smoothly; halting its proceedings over such issues would be unfair to the people of Maharashtra.”

Azmi justified his remarks by citing historians such as Awadh Ojha and Meena Bhargava, who had praised certain aspects of Aurangzeb’s era. However, his statement on Monday outside the Assembly triggered a political storm. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took an aggressive stance, stating that a sedition case should be filed against Azmi. Several leaders accused him of glorifying a ruler who persecuted Chhatrapati Shivaji and brutally executed his son, Sambhaji Maharaj. Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske even lodged a formal complaint against Azmi.