New Delhi [India], March 4 (ANI): Reacting to Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi's statement on Aurangzeb, Congress leader Harish Rawat on Tuesday said that Aurangzeb was an 'autocrat ruler' and his policies led to division.

'It is a historical fact that Aurangzeb was an autocratic ruler and, to some extent, considered religious. It is also a fact that the decline of the Mughal Empire began due to his religious fanaticism. In this country, leaders have assumed the right to grant certificates to others... I don't want to comment on who is certifying whom. However, the common belief about Aurangzeb is that he was an autocrat ruler and darmantra shashak. It is also a fact that after his reign, the Mughal Empire collapsed. Earlier, rulers sought to include everyone in governance, but Aurangzeb's policies led to division,' Harish Rawat told ANI.

Earlier today, Abu Azmi said that his words had been twisted and that he was ready to take back his statement and apologise if sentiments were hurt.

'My words have been twisted. I have said what historians and writers have claimed about Aurangzeb Rahmatullah Ali,' Azmi said.

'I have not made any derogatory comment about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sambhaji Maharaj or any other great men - but still if anyone has been hurt by my statement, then I take back my words, my statement,' Azmi said in a video on his X.

The MLA and Samajwadi Party chief on Maharashtra also said that the issue was being politicised.

'The issue is being made a political issue, and I think that closing the budget session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly because of this is causing harm to the people of Maharashtra,' Azmi said.

Earlier, a zero FIR was registered against Azmi in the Naupada Police Station of Thane and was transferred to the Marine Drive police station in Mumbai in connection with his remarks on Aurangzeb.

The FIR was lodged based on a complaint lodged by Shiv Sena MP Naresh Mhaske.

Azmi, in his comments at an interaction with mediapersons in the Marine Drive area, had stated that Aurangzeb was a good administrator.

The BJP latched on to Azmi's remarks and questioned INDIA bloc members as to why they were trying to glorify Aurangzeb. (ANI)