NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad on Tuesday criticized Maharashtra deputy chief ninister Eknath Shinde for his response to SP leader Abu Azmi’s comments about Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, claiming Shinde lacks historical understanding.
The criticism came after Shinde called for treason charges against Azmi for his remarks about the Mughal emperor.
“Maharashtra’s Deputy CM has no knowledge of history. If he knew history, he wouldn’t have given such a statement. Abu Azmi’s statements are not condemnable,” Prasad told ANI.
“Samajwadi Party always talks about integrating the society and safeguarding the Constitution. Maharashtra’s DCM did not understand the essence of what Abu Azmi wanted to say, and that is why he is making baseless comments,” Prasad added.
Shinde had strongly condemned Azmi’s remarks about Aurangzeb on Monday, demanding an apology from the SP leader.
“His statement is wrong and should be condemned. Aurangzeb tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj for 40 days; calling such a person good is the biggest sin, and hence, Abu Azmi should apologise. Our CM has taken this matter seriously. He should be charged with treason,” Shinde told reporters.
Azmi defended his stance on Aurangzeb amid the controversy, highlighting the emperor’s inclusive governance.
“If Aurangzeb had destroyed temples, he also destroyed mosques. Had he been against Hindus, 34 per cent of Hindus would not have been with him (in his administration), and his advisors would not have been Hindus. It is true that India was a golden sparrow during his rule. There is no need to give Hindu-Muslim angles to it,” Azmi told ANI.
The SP MLA emphasized that historical conflicts were about power rather than religion.
“The Kings back then used to struggle for power and property, but it was nothing religious. He (Aurangzeb) ruled for 52 years, and if he was really converting Hindus into Muslims – imagine the number of Hindus that would have converted. In the 1857 rebellion, when Mangal Pandey started the fight, it was Bahadur Shah Zafar who supported him,” Azmi said.
Azmi concluded by affirming his commitment to constitutional values.
“This country will run by the constitution, and I haven’t said a word against Hindu brothers,” he added.
