Early Life and Education
Abu Asim Azmi was born on August 8, 1955, in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. He completed his schooling in Azamgarh and later pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree from Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Political Career
Azmi entered politics in 1995 and quickly rose to prominence within the Samajwadi Party (SP). Under his leadership, the SP won two seats in the Maharashtra state assembly in 1995. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha from 2002 to 2008, representing Uttar Pradesh. In 2009, he was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, representing the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency. He has successfully retained this seat in subsequent elections, making him a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics.
Major Achievements
- Advocacy for Minority Rights: Azmi is a vocal critic of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and has led numerous campaigns, such as “Samvidhan Bacho Desh Bachao,” which focuses on protecting constitutional values and the rights of minorities. His leadership in these initiatives has resonated strongly with the marginalized communities​.
- Contributions to Social Justice: Azmi has also raised concerns about police brutality and discrimination, especially highlighting incidents like the police assault on a Muslim auto driver in Maharashtra. His consistent efforts to address such issues have gained him widespread support from minority groups​.
Political Agenda: Azmi’s political agenda centers on promoting social equality, ensuring justice for marginalized communities, and protecting secularism. He has been an ardent defender of the Indian Constitution and opposes policies that he believes harm India’s secular fabric, such as the CAA.
Key Political Initiatives
Samvidhan Bacho Desh Bachao Campaign: This campaign, which Azmi leads, is aimed at raising awareness about constitutional rights and fighting against laws like the CAA that are viewed as discriminatory against minorities​.
Community Engagement: He has often engaged with grassroots-level activism, addressing local issues such as unemployment, housing, and education, particularly in Muslim-dominated areas.
MLA Abu Asim Azmi has criticized the government for not granting reservation to Muslims despite a court order, accusing it of attempting to marginalize the Muslim community. He argues that this refusal is a deliberate effort to deny Muslims their rights and treat them as second-class citizens in the country.
Controversy
A controversy has emerged within the Samajwadi Party (SP) after Bhiwandi (East) MLA Rais Shaikh submitted his resignation to state party chief Abu Azmi due to internal conflicts over party affairs and election coordination. However, Azmi has not accepted the resignation nor forwarded it to the Assembly Speaker. Shaikh expressed frustration over unresolved organizational concerns but emphasized his loyalty to the party.
Vande Mataram Controversy: In July 2023, Abu Azmi sparked a major controversy in the Maharashtra Assembly by stating that his religion does not allow him to chant ‘Vande Mataram’. This statement led to significant uproar and demands for his expulsion from the assembly.
Misinterpreted Slogans: A video circulated on social media in 2020 claimed that ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans were raised to welcome Abu Azmi. However, fact-checking revealed that the slogans were actually ‘Sajid Bhai Zindabad’.
Comments on Women’s Safety: In January 2022, Azmi made a controversial statement suggesting that even while staying alone with one’s daughter or sister, the devil can descend. This comment was made in the context of discussing the Union Cabinet’s decision to increase the minimum marriageable age for women to 21.
MLA Abu Asim Azmi’s organization has been at the center of controversy for failing to comply with a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) eviction notice issued five months ago. The notice ordered the eviction of the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Ground in Govandi, which Azmi’s Niyaz Ahmed Educational and Welfare Trust manages. Local residents allege the ground, intended for children’s sports, has been used for commercial purposes. They are now demanding that the ground and its study center be handed over to the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) as per the BMC’s order.
Social Media and Public Engagement
Personal Life
Azmi is married to Zahida Azmi, a businesswoman. They have a son, Farhan Azmi, who is also involved in politics and business, and five daughters. His daughter-in-law is Ayesha Takia, a former Indian actress.
Promises and Future Commitments
Azmi has committed to focusing on issues like education, employment, and housing for underprivileged communities. His continued efforts are also expected to address systemic inequalities faced by Muslims and other minorities in Maharashtra. In his latest speeches, he has vowed to expand the reach of his campaigns and further enhance community welfare initiatives ​(REPORTLINE)​ (Marathi News Esakal).
MLA Abu Asim Azmi has extended full support to the State Gazette Officers Federation in their decision to go on strike from August 29, 2024. The federation demands an increase in the retirement age of state government employees from 58 to 60 years, the filling of 3 lakh vacant posts, the reinstatement of the old pension scheme, and an end to contract-based appointments. Azmi emphasized that these demands are justified and urged the government to consider the welfare of its employees and take positive action.
MLA Abu Asim Azmi inspected the MMRDA’s CBSE school in Natwar Pareek Compound, Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar, which is being handed over to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. While the school is nearly complete, pending work such as the access road, repairs, and equipment installation remain. Azmi, along with SIC, MMRDA, and municipal officials, visited the site and instructed that the pending tasks be completed promptly.
MLA Abu Asim Azmi has raised concerns over the inadequate funding for the Urdu Academy. While the Maharashtra government announced a fund of ₹1.3 crore, only ₹21.12 lakh is being given every four months, totaling ₹63.36 lakh—which Azmi claims is insufficient. Noting that Urdu is the second most spoken language in Maharashtra, he highlighted the disparity in funds allocated to other programs, such as the ₹46,000 crore for the Ladli Behan Yojana. Azmi has urged Deputy CM Ajit Pawar to release the full budget and increase it to ₹5 crore.
During the Assembly session on August 25, 2022, MLA Abu Asim Azmi raised concerns about the rising drug abuse and crime in Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar and the state. In response, Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis outlined the government’s efforts through a letter, mentioning the creation of an anti-drug cell in all police units across Maharashtra. Additionally, the government has formed a State Apex Level Committee and an Anti-Narcotics Task Force to combat drug-related issues.
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