The video, which was posted on February 7 and subsequently deleted following a political backlash, was shared through the official X-handle of the Assam BJP. It depicted Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in images that appeared to show him pointing a firearm at members of a minority community, along with the caption ’round shot’, according to a police complaint filed by the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).
In the FIR lodged with Dispur police station, Congress MLAs Sibamoni Bora and Diganta Barman alleged that the content was “highly provocative and communal” and could disrupt social harmony. The complaint stated that the video showed Sarma symbolically shooting at individuals depicted as belonging to the Muslim community, and included text including the words “foreigners free Assam” and “Why didn’t you go to Pakistan?”
The BJP removed the clip from its official account after mounting criticism from opposition parties. In response to the controversy, the party decided to expel Gaurav from his organizational post, stating that he had been identified as the one who uploaded the content.
POLITICAL AND LEGAL FALLOUT
The video has led to several legal complaints. The APCC’s FIR is one of several filed in Assam and beyond as opposition leaders called for accountability over its incendiary content. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also filed a police complaint in Hyderabad against Sarma in connection with the deleted video, calling it “genocidal hate speech” and demanding criminal action.
Assam’s chief minister has denied prior knowledge of the video and said he stands by his political views. Sarma has also filed a defamation suit worth Rs 500 crore against opposition Congress leaders over unrelated allegations, even as police and petitions continue to focus on the impact of the video.
– Ends
#BJP #sacks #social #media #coconvenor #Ron #Vikash #Himantas #outright #video