Clash with MNS On 9 November 2009, Azmi was denounced and prevented by several
MLAs of the
MNS from taking his oath in
Hindi and not in state official language
Marathi. As a result of this incident, the speaker of the
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly suspended the 4 MNS MLAs involved in the skirmish for a period of four years. The suspension was later revoked in July 2010. In December 2013, Azmi expressed disappointment after seeing Bollywood megastar
Amitabh Bachchan share dais with
Raj Thackeray.
Anti-women views and comments on rape Following the trial in the
Shakti Mills gang rape and in the aftermath of the comments made by then SP chief
Mulayam Singh Yadav in April 2014, Azmi told
Mid-Day, "Any woman if, whether married or unmarried, goes along with a man, with or without her consent, should be hanged. Rape is punishable by hanging in Islam. But here, nothing happens to women, only to men. Even the woman is guilty. Girls complain when someone touches them, and even when someone doesn't touch them. It becomes a problem then ... If rape happens with or without consent, it should be punished as prescribed in Islam." He also said, "See, I don't know what context he said it in. But, at times, the wrong people are awarded the death penalty. Boys do it in
josh (
Hindi: excitement), but what can I say in this? The death sentence should be given. I won't speak against Islam." Azmi's comments were widely criticized in India. His daughter-in-law, actress
Ayesha Takia, expressed embarrassment and denounced Azmi for his comment.
MNS chief and leader
Raj Thackeray heavily lambasted Azmi and
Mulayam Singh Yadav for their comments and anti-women views while appearing on
Aap Ki Adalat. Azmi received a show-cause notice for his comments. In 2017, he commented on a Bengaluru molestation case saying that the molestation was bound to happen since women consider nudity as fashion. He added that women should not roam around in the dark barring when they are accompanied by male family members. Azmi again drew headlines during a debate on raising legal age of marriage for women for suggesting men to not be along with their daughters at home as the "devil" may descend on them. He was reported saying “If my girl/daughter or sister is alone at home, then, my culture tells me to not stay alone with them. The
shaitan (devil) might take over your spirits….we have been witnessing many cases of rape committed by cousin brothers and fathers…this is what our ancestors have told us,” he explained. He also tried to support his ‘analysis’ by stating, “Meddling in the rules of Ishwar and Allah results in a disbalance in the society.”
Maharashtra assembly suspension On 5 March 2025, Azmi was suspended from Maharashtra assembly for his remarks praising Aurangzeb. A case against Azmi was registered by the Mumbai Police under sections 299, 302, 356 (1), and 356 (2) of the
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He was granted an anticipatory bail by the civil sessions court for his comments. SP party head
Akhilesh Yadav questioned the suspension and said, "If some people think that by ‘suspension’ they can silence the truth, then it reflects their childish and negative thinking." == References ==