A senior leader of the Assam Congress, Debabrata Saikia, has lodged a formal police complaint against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his alleged inflammatory remarks directed at Sonia Gandhi, the former President of the Indian National Congress. Sarma’s comments, made during a rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha district on September 18, have drawn significant attention and criticism.
Incendiary Remarks and Their Implications:
During the rally, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma allegedly suggested that the residence of Sonia Gandhi, located at 10, Janpath in Delhi, should be subjected to arson. The comments were made in the context of taunting Kamal Nath, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress, about his Hindu identity. Sarma’s statement has been widely circulated through various media channels, including print, electronic, and social media, making it accessible even in Assam.
Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly, reacted strongly to Sarma’s remarks. In his formal complaint, Saikia characterized the comments as “electoral rhetoric taken to its ugliest form” and a “clear instigation towards violence and arson.” He emphasized the potential consequences of such statements, especially when made by a person with constitutional authority. Saikia argued that Sarma’s remarks could incite misguided individuals to resort to violence and potentially harm the residents of 10 Janpath. Saikia’s complaint underscores the gravity of Sarma’s alleged comments. He has called for Sarma to be charged with provocation causing rioting and abetment to violence under the Indian Penal Code. The police are currently reviewing the complaint, and their decision on the matter is pending. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is currently actively involved in campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Rajasthan, has refrained from making any comments regarding the complaint. The BJP leader is focused on the upcoming elections in Rajasthan, scheduled to be held later this year.
The formal police complaint against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his alleged hate speech has raised questions about the boundaries of political discourse and the potential consequences of inflammatory remarks. As the police review the complaint, it remains to be seen how this issue will evolve and whether legal action will be taken against the Assam Chief Minister.
