Supreme Court to hear pleas against Assam CM over AI video and hate speech

The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a batch of petitions on February 16, 2026, seeking the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. These petitions stem from a controversial AI-generated video posted by the Assam BJP on its official X handle, which allegedly depicted Sarma firing a rifle at members of the Muslim community, and a series of alleged hate speeches targeting this community. The viral video, shared on February 7, 2026, showed an AI-generated avatar of Sarma aiming and firing a rifle at framed photographs of two Muslim men, with captions like "Point blank shot" and "No mercy." This video quickly drew widespread condemnation and accusations of inciting violence and communal hatred, leading to its deletion by the BJP. Following the controversy, several petitions were filed in the Supreme Court. Among the petitioners are the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and CPI leader Annie Raja, who seek action against Sarma for alleged hate speech and the formation of an SIT, arguing that state and central agencies might not conduct an impartial probe. Another petition has been filed by four Assamese individuals, including retired professor Hiren Gohain, former DGP Harekrishna Deka, journalist Paresh Chandra Malakar, and advocate Santanu Borthakur. This petition highlights a pattern of alleged hate speeches by Sarma, including the use of derogatory terms like "Miya" and "Bangladeshi" against Bengali-origin Muslims and calls for their social and economic boycott. They contend that such statements incite discrimination and violence. A separate writ petition by twelve other individuals also seeks court directives to prevent divisive comments by constitutional officeholders. The Supreme Court, while agreeing to hear the pleas, has also acknowledged the potential for political maneuvering, with Chief Justice Surya Kant remarking on how "part of the elections is fought inside the Supreme Court" as elections approach. The bench that will hear the matter comprises Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The controversy has amplified existing political tensions in Assam, especially with assembly elections on the horizon. The Assam BJP has taken internal action, removing a social media co-convenor responsible for the controversial video, while stating that the post was unauthorized and did not follow due procedure. Sarma himself has reportedly denied knowledge of the video, attributing the matter to the use of AI and claiming he is being falsely implicated. The allegations highlight broader concerns about the use of AI in political propaganda and the potential for such content to fuel communal disharmony.

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