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." [6] Azmi's comments were widely criticized in India. [7] His daughter-in-law,actress Ayesha Takia,expressed embarrassment and denounced Azmi for his comment. [8] 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. [9] 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. [10] [11]
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. [12] 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.” [13]
Maharashtra assembly suspension
On 5 March 2025,Azmi was suspended from Maharashtra assembly for his remarks praising Aurangzeb. [14] 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. [15] 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." [16]
