Gauhati HC issues notice to Himanta Biswa Sarma over ‘hate speech’ PILs

The row stems from a video circulated on February 7 from the official X handle of the Assam BJP, purportedly showing Sarma aiming and firing a rifle at two individuals — one wearing a skull cap and the other sporting a beard

Noting what it described as a “fissiparous tendency”, the Gauhati High Court on Thursday issued notice to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in response to a set of public interest litigations (PILs) alleging that he had delivered “hate speech”.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury also sought responses from the Centre, the Assam government and the Director General of Police in connection with the three separate petitions.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on April 21.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had refused to hear petitions seeking action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a viral video that allegedly showed him firing a rifle at members of a particular community. The apex court directed the petitioners to move the Gauhati High Court instead.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi also requested the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court to expedite proceedings in the case.

The row stems from a video circulated on February 7 from the official X handle of the Assam BJP, purportedly showing Sarma aiming and firing a rifle at two individuals — one wearing a skull cap and the other sporting a beard. The post was subsequently taken down after drawing sharp criticism and allegations that it promoted communal discord.