Citizens urge Gauhati High Court to take note of Assam CM’s ‘hate speech’

A group of 43 citizens have urged the Gauhati High Court to take suo motu cognisance of “repeated instances of hate speech and constitutional impropriety” by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Justice on Thursday (February 5, 2026), the citizens cited several public statements by the Chief Minister, which, they say, targeted the Bengal-origin Muslim community, commonly known as the ‘Miya’ community.

According to the representation, the remarks go beyond political rhetoric and amount to dehumanisation, collective stigmatisation, and threats of State-backed harassment.

‘Social humiliation’

The memorandum highlighted a recent statement attributed to Mr. Sarma in which he allegedly urged people to make members of the community “suffer”, including by underpaying them for their services. The citizens argued that such remarks, coming from the State’s highest executive authority, constitute an incitement to economic discrimination and social humiliation, violating the right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The representation also raised concerns over alleged executive interference in the ongoing process of the Special Revision of the electoral rolls. The Chief Minister is accused of publicly stating that he directed ruling party workers to file objections during the exercise, particularly targeting the Miya community, and of instructing officials to intensify scrutiny.

Hateful, baleful: On the Assam Chief Minister and communally sensitive remarks

The citizens contended that such statements undermine the neutrality of a constitutionally mandated, quasi-judicial process and violate principles of free and fair democracy.

Noting the absence of action by Election Commission authorities, the memorandum argued that judicial intervention was necessary. It stated that the cumulative effect of the remarks violate equality before law under Article 14, erodes fraternity as enshrined in the Preamble, and strikes at secularism, which the Supreme Court has held to be part of the Constitution’s basic structure.

The citizens further alleged a breach of the constitutional oath under Article 164(3), which requires the Chief Minister to act without fear or favour. They cite a couple of Supreme Court rulings, which mandate the suo motu registration of first information reports in cases of hate speech, irrespective of the speaker’s position.

Urging the High Court to intervene, the citizens have sought directions for registration of cases relating to hate speech and executive interference, protection of the affected community’s dignity and security, and reaffirmation of constitutional discipline and secular governance.

The citizens included academician Hiren Gohain, retired Director General of Police Harekrishna Deka, former Archbishop of Guwahati Thomas Menamparampil, MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, and environmental scientist Dulal Chandra Goswami.