Abu Azmi is an Indian politician. He is a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and represents the Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency in the Mumbai Suburban district of Maharashtra. He belongs to the Samajwadi Party and serves as the president of the party’s branch in Maharashtra.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Abu Asim Azmi was born on Monday, 8 August 1955 (age 68 years, as in 2023) in Manjeer Patti, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. His zodiac sign is Leo. After completing his schooling, he went to Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Arts. He has been accused of having links with the underworld. On 6 March 1993, Abu Azmi was captured by the Bombay Police officers for his alleged involvement in the Mumbai bombings incident. He was imprisoned for a year until the Supreme Court of India declared him innocent of the charges. After this Abu Azmi decided to enter politics.
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 7″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
parents and siblings
His father’s name is Haji Niaz Ahmad Azmi. He was the owner of an embroidery unit in Bhendi Bazaar, South Mumbai, Maharashtra.
A picture of Haji Niaz Ahmad Azmi
His mother’s name is not known. Abu Asim Azmi has seven brothers and three sisters. The names of his two brothers are Qasim Azmi and Abu Shahid Azmi.
wife and kids
His wife’s name is Zahida Azmi and she is a businesswoman.
Abu Azmi (left) with his wife and son
Abu Asim Azmi has a son named Farhan Azmi, who is a businessman and politician. Farhan is married to former Indian model and actress Ayesha Takia.
Abu Azmi’s son and daughter-in-law
Abu Asim Azmi has five daughters. The names of his two daughters are Shehna Azmi and Rushda Azmi. Rushda is married to Saqib.
Abu Azmi’s wife, daughter and son-in-law
Religion
Abu Asim Azmi follows the religion of Islam.
Address
Abu Asim Azmi resides at Thackeray House, 2nd Floor, JN Heredia Marg, Ballard Estate, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
livelihood
Politics
Abu Asim Azmi joined politics in 1995. During that year, he led the Samajwadi Party (SP) to victory in two seats in the Maharashtra state assembly. In 2004, he contested his first general election and lost to Shiv Sena’s Yogesh Patil from Bhiwandi constituency in Maharashtra. Azmi served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha from the Uttar Pradesh constituency from 2002 to 2008.
Abu Azmi during a political rally in the 2000s
Abu Asim Azmi lost the 2009 Lok Sabha elections to Gurudas Kamat of the Congress party. In the same year, he won a seat in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and served for two terms. He contested for the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from two constituencies, Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar and Bhiwandi (East), and won both. However, as per the rules he could represent only one constituency, so he decided to represent the Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar constituency. Azmi has a special achievement as the only MLA from Maharashtra to win 2 seats at the same time in an election. He has won three consecutive terms from his Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar constituency from 2009 to 2024.
controversies
rape victims should be punished
In 2013, Abu Azmi courted controversy when he said in a media interview that women who have sex with men before marriage, even if they consent to it, should be hanged. He made this statement when he was asked for his views on Mulayam Singh’s comments on a rape case that happened that year. He also said in the same interview that rape victims should be punished. During a media interview, Azmi expressed his views on the Shakti Mill rape case and said that whether the rape happened with consent or without consent, its punishment should be according to Islamic law. They said,
Any woman, whether married or unmarried, who accompanies a man with or without his consent, should be hanged. Rape is punishable by death in Islam. But nothing happens to women here, only to men. The woman is also guilty. Girls complain when someone touches them, and even when no one touches them. It then becomes a problem… If rape happens with or without consent, it should be punished as prescribed in Islam.
In the same conversation, he said that both the culprit and the victim should be given death sentence. Abu Asim Azmi said,
Look, I don’t know in what context he said that. But, sometimes the death penalty is given to the wrong people. Boys do this in josh (Hindi: excitement), but what can I say about it? The death penalty should be given. I will not speak against Islam.”
Indian leader will be Hindu
In 2021, Azmi courted controversy when he was recorded in a video saying that if a Muslim wanted to run India, he should go to Pakistan. They said,
This is secular India where our leaders will be Hindus. The Muslim who wants to establish his leadership should go to Pakistan.
income tax evasion case
In April 2023, Income Tax officials called Abu Asim Azmi for questioning in a tax evasion case of over Rs. 160 crores. Azmi’s involvement came under the scanner after the Income Tax Department launched a probe into the activities of the Varanasi-based Vinayak Group. The group has constructed various buildings including high-rise residential towers, shopping malls and commercial retail centers in Varanasi.
Talking to Abu Azmi Media House
Shouting of “Vande Mataram” is unacceptable
During the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly session in July 2023, Abu Azmi raised the issue of riots in Sambhajinagar district. However, his remarks created a controversy and Speaker Rahul Narvekar adjourned the House. Abu Asim Azmi said that he cannot recite Vande Mataram as it is against the teachings of his religion Islam. He clarified that not saying so does not mean that he disrespects the country. His remarks in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly sparked a major political controversy in Maharashtra. He said that his religious beliefs do not allow him to say ‘Vande Mataram’. They said,
Islam teaches us to bow down before the one who created this whole world. According to my religion, if I cannot speak Vande Mataram, then it does not reduce my respect for my country and patriotism and no one should have any objection on this.
An excerpt from Abu Azmi’s Twitter post on Vande Mataram
Brief description of IPC
- 1 charge relating to incitement to assault (IPC Section-134)
- 1 charge relating to extortion (IPC Section-384)
- 1 charge relating to extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt (IPC Section-386)
- 1 charge of putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt in order to commit extortion (IPC Section-387)
- 1 charge relating to forgery of record of court or public register etc. (IPC Section-466)
- 1 charge relating to forgery of valuable security, will etc. (IPC Section-467)
- 1 charge relating to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc. and doing an act prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony (IPC Section-153A)
- 1 charge relating to abetment of cheating and dishonestly delivery of property (IPC Section-420)
- 1 charge relating to voluntarily causing grievous hurt (IPC Section-325)
- 2 charges relating to forgery (IPC Section-465)
- 1 charge related to joining an unlawful assembly armed with a deadly weapon (IPC Section-144)
- 1 charge relating to rioting (IPC Section-146)
- 1 charge relating to punishment for rioting (IPC Section-147)
- 1 charge related to rioting when armed with a deadly weapon (IPC Section-148)
- 1 Charge relates to every member of unlawful assembly who is guilty of offense committed in prosecution of a common object (IPC Section-149)
- 1 charge relating to mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees (IPC Section-427)
- 1 charge relating to mischief (IPC Section-425)
- 1 charge relating to punishment for criminal conspiracy (IPC Section-120B)
- 1 charge relating to unlawful assembly (IPC Section-141)
- 1 charge relating to being a member of an unlawful assembly (IPC Section-143)
car collection
Abu Asim Azmi owns Mercedes Benz, Honda Accord and Fiat Lounge.
Abu Azmi posing with his car
property/property
movable property
- Deposits in Banks: Rs. 36,72,537
- Bonds, Debentures and Shares in Companies: Rs. 4,53,12,846
- NSS, Postal Savings: Rs. 20,01,086
- Motor Vehicle: Rs. 27,16,265
- Other assets: Rs. 99,07,17,678
Immovable property
- Agricultural land: Rs. 83,97,844
- Non-agriculture land: Rs. 7,50,000
- Building: Rs. 20,06,17,000
liabilities
- Loan from Banks: Rs. 51,97,596
- Other Dues: Rs. 4,13,59,954
net worth
As of 2009, Abu Asim Azmi had around Rs. 149.5 crore net worth.
facts/common sense
- According to Azmi, the time spent in prison inspired him to dedicate himself to a career in politics. In 1994, a meeting organized by Raj Babbar with Samajwadi chief Mulayam Yadav put him on the path of politics.
- While working in his father’s embroidery unit in the crowded Bhindi Bazaar area, Azmi channeled his business aspirations by setting up a manpower recruitment agency that sent people to West Asia. He also started exploring possibilities in the real estate sector.
- After Azmi’s comments on the Shakti Mills rape case in 2013 became widely spread in India, she faced severe criticism. His daughter-in-law and actress Ayesha Takia openly expressed her extreme embarrassment and shame about his comments.
Abu Azmi with his daughter-in-law Ayesha Takia
- As per a media report, Abu Azmi does not have life insurance even though he has assets worth more than Rs. 209 crores. An affidavit submitted to the Election Commission in 2019 revealed that neither he nor any of his family members had any insurance coverage.
- In June 2017, the Delhi Special Cell arrested Abu Aslam Azmi with 5 kg of a party drug called “MDMA”, also known as “ICE”, worth Rs. 40 crores in Delhi. Abu Aslam Azmi is the nephew of Abu Asim Azmi. Soon after his arrest, Abu Azmi said that he had nothing to do with his nephew’s actions.
Special Cell team with four arrested international drug cartel members including Abu Aslam Qasim Azmi (in black T-shirt)
- Abu Asim Azmi runs the ‘Haji Niaz Ahmed Azmi Minority Educational Welfare Trust’ in Mumbai. The organization collaborates with other NGOs in France and Spain to carry out its work.
Abu Azmi posing with the employees of the Haji Niaz Ahmad Azmi Minority Educational Welfare Trust
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn