Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday demanded an apology from Maharashtra Samajwadi Party chief Abu Azmi, calling him "anti-national" after the latter praised the Seventeenth century Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb as a "good administrator".

Speaking to media in Mumbai, Shinde responded to Abu Azmi's remarks stating, "Abu Azmi has said that Aurangzeb was a good administrator. He must apologise for this because Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was a patriot and a true nationalist... Calling Aurangzeb's administration good is a serious offense, and for this, Abu Azmi must apologise. He has spoken against a patriot, and therefore, he should also be labeled anti-national."

Shinde calls for a treason case against SP leader

Calling Abu Azmi's comment a "sin", Shinde said, "This is condemnable. Aurangzeb, who tortured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj for 40 days... calling him a good person is a sin. Abu Azmi should apologise, and CM has also taken this seriously... A treason case must be filed against him."

His attack against the SP leader came hours after Abu Azmi, while speaking to media in Mumbai said, "All the wrong history is being shown. Aurangzeb built many temples...Aurangzeb is not a cruel leader".

In an interview with a private TV news channel, he said, "What I have read about Aurangzeb, he never took public money for himself, his regime was spread till Burma, the country was then known as the golden bird."

"I think he was a great administrator, many commanders in his army were Hindus," he added.