Is Himanta Biswa Sarma's video worthy of the Election Commission's attention?
The article discusses a controversial video of Himanta Biswa Sarma, shared by the Assam BJP, which portrays him in a provocative manner ahead of the upcoming elections.
The article focuses on a video featuring Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam and a member of the BJP, which was shared by the party's official account on social media. The video shows Sarma aiming with an air rifle at targets that resemble members of the Muslim community, as indicated by their headgear. This has sparked significant controversy, leading to accusations that the portrayal incites violence and promotes divisive politics, especially as the state prepares for elections in April-May 2024.
Despite the backlash, the BJP has removed the video from its social media but expresses no regret, stating that the removal should be seen as the conclusion of the matter. The piece notes that this is not the first instance of such controversial content from the Assam BJP, referring to a similar video shared in October 2025 which also drew legal scrutiny from the Supreme Court and was subsequently deleted. The article raises critical questions regarding the implications of political propaganda in the context of upcoming elections and the responsibility of political figures in maintaining communal harmony.
The article positions this incident within the larger narrative of electoral politics in India, where communal identities often play a crucial role during campaigns. It highlights the BJP's strategy to cultivate a strongman image for Sarma in Assam, which may resonate with a segment of the electorate. However, it also underlines the potential dangers of such media portrayals, suggesting that they might exacerbate tensions in an already polarized socio-political environment, especially in a state with a significant Muslim population.