Guwahati: Assam Bharatiya Janata Party faced sharp backlash after a video shared on its official social media handle showed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma symbolically firing weapons at representations of Muslims. The video sparked anger among opposition leaders, rights groups, and Muslim community members across the state.
The video combined footage of the chief minister holding firearms with visuals portraying bullets hitting men identified through skull caps and beards. Captions carried phrases such as point blank shoot, foreigner free Assam, no mercy, and statements questioning why Muslims should not leave for Pakistan or Bangladesh. Critics described the content as provocative and dangerous.
Political leaders accused the ruling party of promoting fear and encouraging violence. Opposition voices said the post crossed legal and moral limits. Some leaders termed it state enabled radicalisation and demanded criminal action. Rights activists flagged the video as hate speech and filed police complaints.
The video remained online for several hours before deletion. Opposition parties said removal failed to address accountability. They argued the message had already circulated widely and caused harm.
The controversy revived scrutiny of Sarma’s earlier remarks aimed at Muslim communities in Assam. Opposition leaders recalled statements linked to electoral roll revisions, economic targeting, and comments directed at Bengali origin Muslims known as the Miya community. Claims about deletion of Muslim votes ahead of assembly elections also resurfaced.
Human rights groups warned of rising communal tension in Assam. Community members said such messaging deepens insecurity among Muslims who view themselves as equal citizens contributing to the state.
The BJP state unit has not issued a detailed clarification. The episode unfolded as Assam moves closer to assembly elections, with political rhetoric drawing increased attention.
