Kamal Ghorui
SC must respond firmly to state BJP video that crosses a redline. So must central BJP
Election Commission is expected to announce dates for the Assam election within weeks. So, politics taking an uglier than usual turn in the state is par for the course. But Assam’s BJP unit recently posted a video on social media, which is jaw-dropping even by this broad yardstick. Headlined ‘Point blank shot’, it is an AI composite of an image of Himanta Biswa Sarma pointing a rifle, and an image of two Muslim men, who are in the crosshairs. A bullet travelling between the two subjects and a ‘No mercy’ caption are also notable. Even though the original post has now been deleted, the video itself remains in wide circulation. Several questions arise, among them is this: why did BJP’s Assam unit think it was ok to produce images (even if AI-generated) showing a constitutional post-holder pointing a gun at members of one community? Also, who cleared this post, and at what level?
A citizens group has urged the Gauhati high court to take suo motu cognisance of “repeated instances of hate speech and constitutional impropriety” by Sarma. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to a hearing. Some have suggested that too many elections these days are being played out, partly, in the court. Maybe this is not the most positive trend. Yet, the apex court has to step up as needed. In the present case, actually, EC and BJP central headquarters should also make it clear to the Assam party unit that it has taken politicking beyond a redline.
A CM takes oath to “do right to all manner of people…without fear or favour, affection or ill-will”. His constitutional office is fundamental to ensuring democracy at the state level. Instead, the heat of the Special Revision of the Assam electoral roll has seen him seemingly put the target on a particular community, for fraudulent complaints. Well in advance of the final roll getting published yesterday, he declared (incorrectly) that 4-5L “Miya votes” would be struck off. The threat is both to the rights and reputation of Indian democracy. SC – and BJP brass – must take that seriously.
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