GUWAHATI — A major political storm has broken out in Assam after the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) posted, and subsequently deleted, a provocative AI-generated video. The clip, featuring Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has drawn sharp condemnation from opposition leaders and civil society, with many labeling it as “incitement to violence” and “genocidal hate speech.”
The “Point Blank Shot” Controversy
The 17-second video, uploaded on February 7, 2026, via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of BJP Assam, utilized AI tools to intersperse real footage of CM Sarma handling a rifle with digital visuals. In the video, the Chief Minister appears to take aim and fire at framed photographs of individuals.
Reports indicate the targets included:
-
An individual resembling Assam Congress President Gaurav Gogoi, depicted wearing a skullcap.
-
Another man featuring a beard and skullcap, symbols commonly associated with the Muslim community.
The video was overlaid with aggressive captions such as “Point blank shot,” “No mercy,” and “Foreigner-free Assam.” It also included the rhetorical question in Assamese: “Why did you not go to Pakistan?”
National Outrage and Legal Action
Though the post was scrubbed from the BJP’s handle on February 8 following a massive backlash, opposition parties have moved swiftly to seek legal accountability.
1. AIMIM Files Police Complaint
Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the AIMIM and Hyderabad MP, filed a formal complaint with the Hyderabad City Police Commissioner today.
“I have demanded criminal action against Himanta Sarma for his violent video showing him shooting Muslims. Genocidal hate speech has become a branded norm for this administration,” Owaisi stated on X.
2. Congress Condemnation
The Indian National Congress has led the charge in New Delhi. General Secretary K.C. Venugopal described the content as “nothing but a call to genocide,” while spokesperson Supriya Shrinate questioned the silence of the judiciary and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
3. TMC and Activists Weigh In
TMC MP Sagarika Ghose and prominent lawyer Prashant Bhushan have both called for the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognizance of the incident, citing violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) regarding incitement to violence.
Political Context: Migration and Identity
The controversy arrives at a sensitive time for Assam’s politics. The BJP has frequently centered its campaign on the issue of “illegal infiltrators” from Bangladesh.
| Stakeholder | Official Stance |
| BJP Assam | Claims the video targeted “illegal immigrants,” not the broader Muslim community. |
| Opposition | Argues the imagery purposefully blurs the line to demonize all Bengali-origin Muslims. |
| Legal Experts | Warn that AI-generated “violent” imagery by state heads sets a dangerous precedent for communal harmony. |
While the BJP Assam unit has yet to issue an official apology, the incident has reignited the debate over the ethical use of AI in political campaigning and its potential to inflame real-world tensions.
BBA Student Arrested in Madikeri for Leaking Private Videos of Politicians’ Daughters
BBA Student Arrested in Madikeri for Leaking Private Videos of Politicians’ Daughters
