Guwahati: An FIR has been filed by Debabrata Saikia, an Assam Congress leader, against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for alleged "hate speech."
The Nazira Model Police Station in the Sivasagar district of Assam received a police report alleging that Sarma suggested setting 10 Janpath on fire.
The "banal and hateful" remark, according to Saikia, was made by Sarma on September 19 during the Jan Ashirwad event in the Vidhisha district of Madhya Pradesh. He pointed out that Sonia Gandhi, a member of Congress and the widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, resides at 10 Janpath, the New Indian Express reported.
Saikia claimed that by making such a comment, the Assam chief minister has elevated political discourse to its most repulsive level in a nation where the rule of law prevails.
“While taunting Sri Kamal Nath, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress about his Hindu identity, Sri Sarma has directly suggested that 10 Janpath should be burnt,” the FIR reads.
Saikia accused Sarma of giving a clear instigation of violence and arson.
“By suggesting that the residence of a 77-year-old lady be burnt down, Sri Sarma is not just attacking a prominent face of the Opposition but he is giving a clarion call towards arson,” the Assam Congress leader said.
“Such wanton statements coming from a Constitutional authority has the potential of causing misguided persons to resort to violence and potentially cause harm to the residents of 10 Janpath. This is a clear instigation towards rioting and abetment of arson on the part of Sri Himanta Biswa Sarma and he is liable to be booked under Sections 153 and 115/436 of the Indian Penal Code,” Saikia said.
He said that Sarma's statement was widely shared on print, electronic, and social media and that it is available in Assam.
“Accordingly, the effects of the instigation and violent rhetoric is felt within your good office’s jurisdiction. I, therefore, implore you to register an FIR and take necessary action in this regard,” Saikia further wrote in the FIR.