Congress slams Assam BJP's 'point-blank shot' video for targeting minorities, asks judiciary to act

Outrage Erupts Over Assam BJP's Provocative Video

A controversial video posted by the official social media handle of the BJP's Assam unit has ignited a fierce political firestorm. The clip, which was later deleted, featured Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma appearing to fire shots at point-blank range at images of men identifiable by skullcaps and beards, symbols often associated with Muslims. Captions like "point blank shot," "foreigner free Assam," and "no mercy" flashed across the screen, amplifying the provocative nature of the content.

The video stayed online for several hours, allowing it to spread widely before being taken down without any official explanation from the party. Opposition leaders quickly labeled it as hate speech that glorifies violence against minorities. This incident unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing debates in Assam about Bengali-origin Muslims and illegal immigration, heightening tensions in the region ahead of local elections. Critics argue the timing was deliberate, aimed at stoking communal divides.

What made the video particularly alarming was its use of what appeared to be AI-generated visuals blended with real footage of the chief minister handling an air rifle. This blend created a dystopian scene that many viewed as dehumanizing and dangerous, potentially inciting real-world harm. Social media platforms buzzed with screenshots and downloads, ensuring the content's reach even after deletion.

Congress Leads Charge, Demands Judicial Action

The Congress party was at the forefront of the backlash, issuing a scathing statement on its official channels. They described the video as a "call to mass violence and genocide," refusing to brush it off as mere troll content. Senior leader KC Venugopal emphasized that this was "poison being spread from the very top," calling for strict judicial intervention since they saw no hope of action from higher political quarters.

The BJP's official Assam Pradesh handle posted a video that appears to glorify the targeted, 'point-blank' murder of minorities. It is deeply abhorrent and disturbing and cannot be dismissed as random troll content. This amounts to a call to mass violence and genocide. It is a reflection of the true face of this fascist regime.

In Assam, the state Congress unit took concrete steps by filing a formal complaint at Dispur Police Station. The FIR targeted BJP state president Dilip Saikia, social media convener Shaktidhar Deka, and others, accusing them of criminal conspiracy, incitement to communal disturbances, promoting enmity between groups, and violating the Model Code of Conduct. They also urged the State Election Commission to investigate, seize devices from the BJP's IT cell, and conduct a forensic probe under the IT Act.

Supriya Shrinate, another Congress spokesperson, questioned whether courts and institutions were "sleeping" in the face of such overt hatred. Gaurav Gogoi, Assam Congress chief, dismissed the video as cheap propaganda unworthy of the state's mature political discourse, advocating for politics that unites rather than divides.

Opposition Unity and BJP's Measured Response

The criticism extended beyond Congress, uniting various opposition voices. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi highlighted how the video lingered long enough to be shared widely, slamming the Election Commission for its perceived inaction against the BJP. Trinamool Congress leaders, including Mahua Moitra and Sagarika Ghose, accused the video of constituting criminal offenses under laws like the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and even UAPA, demanding FIRs and punishment.

The All India United Democratic Front echoed these sentiments, viewing the content as an attempt to communalize Assam's electoral landscape. This broad opposition front painted a picture of a ruling party resorting to divisive tactics amid demographic anxieties in the state. Meanwhile, BJP leaders defended the video as a campaign to spotlight the "threat of illegal immigrants" altering Assam's demography, rejecting claims of Islamophobia as a shield for vote banks by rivals. Information Minister Pijush Hazarika argued it was not about targeting communities but addressing real security concerns.

Despite the defense, the video's visuals—overwhelmingly focused on Muslim identifiers—drew scrutiny for ignoring the broader complexities of migration issues in Assam. Claims within the video, such as exaggerated population figures, further fueled accusations of misinformation. The episode underscores deepening political polarization, with opposition parties pushing for accountability through legal channels.

In summary, the Assam BJP's deleted video has exposed raw nerves in Indian politics, with Congress and allies demanding justice for what they see as incitement to hatred, while the ruling side frames it as immigration awareness. The judiciary's role now hangs in balance as the controversy simmers.