Mumbai, March 4: An FIR has been registered against Maharashtra Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and MLA Abu Azmi over his remarks defending Mughal ruler Aurangzeb Alamgir, asserting that he was “not a cruel leader.”

His statement has sparked widespread controversy, drawing sharp criticism from political leaders across the spectrum.

The controversy erupted after Azmi made the remarks while addressing reporters in Mumbai at the commencement of the Maharashtra Assembly session.

Responding to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s recent comparison of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with Aurangzeb, Azmi argued that the Mughal ruler was being misrepresented.

Following his remarks, Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske filed a complaint at Thane’s Wagle Estate Police Station, leading to an FIR being registered against Azmi under sections 299, 302, 356(1), and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Azmi had stated, “Aurangzeb got several temples built. In Varanasi, he saved a Hindu girl child from a priest who had an evil eye on her. He had the priest trampled by elephants.”

Defending his stance, he had further elaborated, “I don’t consider Aurangzeb a cruel ruler. During that era, power struggles were political, not religious. Aurangzeb’s army had many Hindus, just as Chhatrapati Shivaji’s army had several Muslims.”

He also claimed that during Aurangzeb’s reign, India’s territorial boundaries extended up to Afghanistan, adding that the ruler was being unfairly vilified through a religious lens.

The comments have ignited a political storm, with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde leading the charge against Azmi.

Strongly condemning his remarks, Shinde demanded an apology, stating, “He must apologise for this because Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a patriot and a true nationalist. Aurangzeb was responsible for the brutal 40-day torture and execution of Sambhaji Maharaj. Glorifying Aurangzeb’s rule is a serious offence, and for this, Abu Azmi must apologise. By speaking against a patriot, he has positioned himself as anti-national.”

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Monday demanded that anyone involved in atrocities against women should be treated as a terrorist and hanged in public, regardless of their party affiliation.

This comes after the alleged molestation case involving the daughter of Union MoS Raksha Khadse.

“Any person, be it from any party, who is involved in atrocities against women should be treated as a terrorist and hanged in public. Punishment should be given to such persons irrespective of which party they belong to…,” told Thackeray to media.

Earlier, the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports approached the police on Sunday and filed a complaint in the alleged molestation case involving her minor daughter.

Khadse said that the accused not only harassed her daughter and her friends but also misbehaved with the police personnel. She added that the accused also made videos of the incident.

“My daughter and her friends went to a Maha Shivratri fair, where some people molested them. They also misbehaved with the police guard. They had the guts to molest and record videos, even in the presence of a police guard. This is not acceptable, and that is why I have lodged a complaint,” she said while speaking to media on Sunday.

Khadse also urged other women to come forward and file complaints. “The incident that happened with my daughter and her friends is condemnable… There may be many such mothers who are suffering from this. They should go to the police station and file complaints.” Following Raksha Khadse’s complaint, the Jalgaon police filed an FIR under the POCSO and IT acts.

One of the accused has been arrested by the police in the incidents, and as per the Sub Divisional Police Officer of Muktainagar Krishnat Pingale, the arrested person has many criminal cases against him.

He added that a total of seven people have been booked in the alleged molestation case with Union Minister Raksha Khadse’s daughter.

Mumbai, March 3: Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande on Monday wrote a letter to Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, presenting a list of demands to enhance women’s safety in public transportation.

The move comes in response to the recent Pune bus rape case, which has sparked outrage over security lapses in the state’s transport system.

A 26-year-old woman was raped inside Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus at the Swargate depot in Pune last week, leading to mass anger and outrage. After days of public outcry over the horrifying episode, the accused Dattatray Gade was arrested on Friday, after being on the run for almost a week.

Addressing the incident, Kayande called for immediate reforms to prevent such crimes in the future, stating, “After the Swargate incident, people were furious that such an act could happen inside a bus stand and in dilapidated buses.”

“Regardless of the situation, our demand is clear — every woman should be safe. CCTV cameras should be installed in all state transport buses, security guards should be stationed at every depot, and outdated buses should be phased out,” she told media.

She emphasised the importance of surveillance in crime prevention, stating, “Installing CCTV cameras will make it easier to catch offenders with perverted mindsets. This will aid in their arrest, prosecution, and rehabilitation. All these measures are crucial for ensuring women’s safety in public transport.”

Kayande also commented on the molestation case involving Union Minister of State Raksha Khadse’s daughter, calling it an “unfortunate” incident. However, she maintained that Maharashtra remains relatively safe for women.

“It is unfortunate that such incidents take place. The Union Minister herself was present and immediately filed a complaint, leading to swift police action. No matter who the accused are, strict action will be taken against them,” she added.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Minister Shamburaj Desai condemned the molestation case, assuring that all accused would soon be apprehended.

“The Chief Minister has given strict orders to local police officers to take action. Minister Raksha Khadse’s daughter is like our daughter, and any harassment against her is completely unacceptable. We strongly oppose such acts,” he told media.

He further stated that many suspects have already been arrested, and police teams have been deployed to track down the remaining accused. “Soon, all of them will be in custody,” he said.

The Jalgaon police have so far arrested three individuals and detained a minor in connection with the harassment and molestation of Minister Khadse’s daughter.

The arrested suspects include Aniket Bhoyi, Kiran Mali, Anuj Patil, and one minor. Police have registered cases against seven individuals and are continuing their search for the remaining accused.