Guwahati: A case has been registered against Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for allegedly making continuous hate-filled and provocative statements against Bengali-origin Muslims over the past few days.
On Monday, the Assam Civil Society, represented by its president Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury, executive president Professor Abdul Mannan, and executive member Abdur Rahim Sikdar, filed an FIR against the Chief Minister at the Latasil Police Station in Guwahati. The officer-in-charge of the Latasil Police Station has accepted the complaint.
The complaint was accompanied by an 18-page affidavit, newspaper articles, and a pen drive containing video clips. The complaint alleges that between January 24 and 29, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma deliberately made communal and provocative remarks against Bengali Muslims in front of the media. He used the term ‘Miya’ for them, with the intention of spreading hatred and animosity against a particular community.
The complaint also mentions that, according to news reports, incidents of intimidation and harassment against the community have already occurred in various parts of the state, instigated by the Chief Minister’s hate speech. The complainants further state that the Chief Minister’s statements have disturbed public peace and communal harmony and constitute a punishable offense under Sections 192, 196, 197, 299, 302, and 353 of the Indian Penal Code. In the interest of maintaining public peace and order, and in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directives against hate speech, the complainants have requested the officer-in-charge of the Latasil Police Station to register a case against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma under these sections and take appropriate action.
