The Mumbai Dabbawala Association has strongly criticised Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi for his statement claiming that Mughal ruler Aurangzeb was not cruel. Subhash Talekar, President of the Mumbai Dabbawala Association, issued a statement condemning Azmi’s remarks, highlighting the atrocities committed by Aurangzeb and the sacrifices made by the Mavalas in the fight for Swarajya under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Talekar stated, “We, the Dabbawalas, are descendants of the Mavalas from the Maval region, who were the first to sacrifice their lives in the defence of Swarajya. Under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, we defied the mighty imperial powers. However, this resistance came at a heavy cost—our villages were plundered, turned to ashes, and our people were massacred by the Mughals.”