Asaduddin Owaisi files complaint against Assam Chief Minister over alleged hate speech video

AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday (February 9) submitted a complaint to the Hyderabad Police Commissioner seeking legal action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over alleged acts of outraging religious feelings, promoting enmity between communities and making imputations prejudicial to national integration.

In the complaint, Mr. Owaisi alleged that Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma had, over several years, made statements against the Muslim community through social media, print media and public speeches. He said that such statements had intensified in recent months with a deliberate intent to promote hatred between Hindus and Muslims.

Referring to a video posted on February 7, on the official X account of the Assam Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Owaisi stated that the visuals depicted Mr. Sarma portrayed as armed with a firearm and aiming it at persons shown as Muslims.

The video, which was taken down a day later, is stated to still be available on social media platforms. According to the complaint, phrases such as ‘Point blank shot’ and ‘No Mercy’ were used in the video, which he alleged was intended to incite communal hatred and violence.

Mr. Owaisi further stated that he had viewed the video within the jurisdiction of the Hyderabad police and that the content was accessible across India. He cited a Supreme Court ruling which directed police authorities to take suo motu action in cases of hate speech, even in the absence of a formal complaint, and said any inaction would amount to a serious dereliction of duty.

Seeking immediate legal action, the AIMIM chief urged the Hyderabad police to initiate proceedings against the Assam Chief Minister in accordance with the law.