Point Blank’ AI Video Triggers Legal Storm: PIL Against Assam CM in Supreme Court

Assam : A major controversy surrounding Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has intensified significantly, with a dispute over a now-deleted AI-style“point-blank shot” video reaching the Supreme Court of India. On Monday, 12 social activists, including former Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Roop Rekha Verma, and John Dayal, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court. They are urging it to intervene and stop what they describe as inflammatory and unconstitutional statements from political leaders.

The petition highlights a contentious video that appeared on the Assam BJP’s official social media account. It showed Himanta holding and firing a gun at men identified as Muslims. The captions included “Point blank shot” and slogans like “No mercy.” The video featured stylized images and phrases that critics say indicated hostility toward Muslims and “foreigners.” It allegedly contained references to “Bangladeshis” and asked, “Why did you not go to Pakistan?” in regional text.

Even though the Assam BJP removed the video after it faced criticism, the the backlash has grown stronger. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi filed a police complaint in Hyderabad. He labelled the footage “genocidal hate speech” and called for criminal action against Sarma. Owaisi stated that the video incited hatred against Muslims and was a part of a pattern of divisive rhetoric.

In response to the complaint and the ongoing controversy, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took a defiant stance. He claimed he knows nothing about the video but is “ready to go to jail” if necessary. He reaffirmed his position against Bangladeshi “infiltrators.”

Opposition parties, such as the Congress, have condemned the video and its distribution. They described it as a “call for genocide” and demanded judicial action and accountability from the ruling BJP. 

The PIL also refers to other controversial statements made by political leaders across India. This points to a broader concern that hateful rhetoric from those in power undermines constitutional values and social harmony.