The Supreme Court of India will hear on February 16 a batch of petitions seeking the registration of an FIR and a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over alleged hate speech and a controversial “point blank” video. The matter is listed before a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
The petitions relate to remarks attributed to the Chief Minister concerning “Miya Muslims” and a video earlier shared from the official social media handle of the Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was later deleted.
The Supreme Court will hear petitions on February 16 seeking an FIR and an SIT probe against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over alleged hate speech and a controversial “point blank” video. The case concerns remarks about “Miya Muslims” and a deleted video shared by BJP Assam’s official handle.
What The Petitions Seek
According to court listings and reports, the petitioners have requested:
- Registration of a First Information Report (FIR)
- Constitution of a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- Judicial oversight to ensure an independent probe
The petitioners argue that both state and central agencies may not be able to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter.
Background Of The Controversy
The issue escalated after a video was shared on the social media platform X from the official handle of the BJP Assam. The clip allegedly depicted the Chief Minister in a firing stance with references interpreted as targeting members of the Muslim community. The video was later removed following online backlash.
The petitions also refer to public speeches and statements in which the term “Miya” and references to “Bangladeshi” Muslims were allegedly used. The petitioners describe these as derogatory and potentially discriminatory towards Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam.
Who Has Approached The Court?
Among the pleas listed are petitions filed by:
- The Communist Party of India (Marxist)
- Annie Raja, senior CPI leader
A separate writ petition has been filed by four prominent Assamese citizens:
- Dr. Hiren Gohain, retired academic
- Harekrishna Deka, former Assam DGP
- Paresh Chandra Malakar, Editor-in-Chief of Northeast Now
- Senior advocate Santanu Borthakur
They have sought urgent judicial intervention, alleging a pattern of inflammatory remarks that could lead to social division.
Why This Matters In Guwahati
Guwahati, as Assam’s political and administrative centre, has been at the heart of recent legal and political developments linked to the controversy. Multiple complaints have been filed in the city, and earlier related matters have been mentioned before courts in Guwahati as well.
The Supreme Court hearing is likely to shape the legal trajectory of the issue, with potential implications for ongoing political discourse in the state ahead of future electoral cycles.
What Happens Next?
The Supreme Court bench is scheduled to hear the petitions on February 16. The Court may decide whether to:
- Issue notice to the respondents
- Direct registration of an FIR
- Consider the formation of an SIT
- Or list the matter for further hearing
The outcome of this hearing will determine the next legal steps in the matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Supreme Court hearing this case?
The petitions have been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking judicial intervention for alleged hate speech and demanding registration of an FIR and a court-monitored SIT probe.
What is the “point blank” video controversy?
The controversy relates to a video shared from the official BJP Assam social media handle that allegedly showed the Chief Minister in a firing stance with references interpreted as targeting a minority community. The video was later deleted.
