Samajwadi Party Maharashtra unit chief and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has criticised the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), calling it a government's āControl Codeā and accusing the Centre of using the exercise to interfere in citizens' rights.Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Azmi, no stranger to controversies, questioned the process of seeking public feedback on the proposed law and demanded an extension of the November 15 deadline for submitting objections and suggestions.āThe UCC Bill is not a 'Uniform Civil Code', but a 'Control Code' of the government,ā he said.Azmi's remarks came months after the Maharashtra government set up a seven-member committee to examine the implementation of a UCC in the state. The panel has invited public suggestions and objections till November 15, with the government expected to consider its recommendations before moving ahead with legislation likely in the Winter Session.
Azmi argued that the time given to citizens to submit their views was insufficient. He also raised objections to the questions included in the consultation process, alleging that they had been incorrectly drafted.He further questioned why citizens were being asked to disclose their caste and religion while submitting suggestions on the proposed legislation. āThere are irregularities and improper practices in this process.
Committee member Ashish Chauhan has also resigned from the committee,ā Azmi said.Accusing the government of double standards on civil rights, the SP leader alleged that its actions were largely focused on matters related to religion. āIn the context of civil rights, the government is taking action only on issues related to religion,ā he said.ABU AZMI'S PAST CONTROVERSIAL REMARKSAzmi has previously faced criticism over remarks on women, rape and historical figures.The SP MLA was at the centre of a major controversy in March 2025 over his remarks defending Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Speaking to reporters during the Maharashtra Assembly session, he described Aurangzeb as an able administrator and said he did not consider him a cruel ruler.He also claimed that India accounted for 24 per cent of the world's GDP during Aurangzeb's reign and said the ruler had built several temples.
Azmi further argued that the conflict between Aurangzeb and Maratha king Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a political, rather than religious, battle. His remarks triggered protests by political groups and an uproar in the Maharashtra Assembly.An FIR was registered against him on a complaint alleging that his comments hurt religious sentiments.
He was also suspended from the Assembly till March 26, 2025.Amid the backlash, Azmi withdrew his remarks on March 4, saying his comments were based on historical accounts but had been distorted and blown out of proportion. He said he had not intended to insult anyone and added that if his statements had offended people, he would take them back.Azmi had also faced criticism in January 2013 for his remarks following the Nirbhaya gang-rape in Delhi.
He had said women should not wear revealing clothes or venture out at night with men who were not their relatives.He also blamed western culture and women's clothing for rising rape cases. The comments drew widespread criticism, though Azmi refused to apologise at the time, saying his remarks were motivated by concern for women's safety.In April 2014, Azmi triggered another controversy when he said that women who had sexual relations outside marriage, whether with or without consent, should be punished along with the men involved.
The National Commission for Women issued him a notice over the statement.ThE SP leader later clarified that he had never advocated punishing rape survivors and said he was referring to consensual sexual relations outside marriage. He maintained that both men and women involved in such relationships should face punishment under religious principles.- Ends