A charged political and legal dispute landed before the Supreme Court this week as multiple petitions questioned controversial remarks and a now-deleted video linked to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Activists and political parties urged the court to step in, alleging hate speech and communal targeting. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before the Chief Justice, but the court signalled restraint while agreeing to examine the issue.
Background of the Case
The first petition, filed as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), was moved by twelve social activists, including former Delhi Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, academic Roop Rekha Verma, and minority rights advocate John Dayal.
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Their plea flags a series of statements allegedly made by senior public functionaries over the years, claiming such remarks weaken constitutional values and social harmony. The focus, however, remained on the Assam Chief Minister, particularly a controversial video circulated on social media that allegedly depicted him “shooting” at people portrayed as belonging to a particular community. The video was later deleted after widespread backlash.
The petitioners urged the apex court to frame clear guidelines for public statements made by individuals holding constitutional or high administrative posts.
Political Parties Seek FIRs and SIT
Soon after, two separate writ petitions were filed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and CPI leader Annie Raja. These petitions went a step further, seeking registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) against the Assam Chief Minister and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) monitored by the Supreme Court.
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Advocate Nizam Pasha, mentioning the matter before the court, said complaints had been filed with authorities but no FIRs were registered. “We seek urgent intervention of this Court with respect to disturbing speeches made by a sitting Chief Minister,” he submitted, pointing to the video and earlier public statements.
Allegations Detailed Before the Court
The petitions place reliance on a detailed chronology of speeches and remarks allegedly made between 2021 and February 2026. According to the pleadings, these statements are said to have called for social and economic exclusion of Bengali-origin Muslims and to have linked illegal immigration with religious identity.
The petitioners argued that immigration is religion-neutral and cited data to claim that many excluded from citizenship processes were non-Muslims. They contended that such rhetoric has led to real-world consequences, including discrimination and harassment, which perpetrators allegedly justify by citing the Chief Minister’s words.
Court Observation
Responding to the request for urgent listing, Chief Justice Surya Kant made a brief but pointed remark in open court.
“The problem is, as and when elections come, part of the elections is fought inside the Supreme Court,” the Chief Justice observed, adding that the court would examine the matter and fix a date.
The bench did not pass any interim directions at this stage.
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Decision So Far
After hearing the brief submissions, the Supreme Court agreed to consider the petitions and said the matters would be listed for hearing in due course. No notices were issued and no findings were recorded on the merits of the allegations.
For now, the controversy remains at the threshold stage, with the apex court poised to decide how and when it will take up the sensitive questions raised about hate speech, constitutional responsibility, and accountability of those in public office.
Case Title: Communist Party of India (Marxist) v. Union of India; Annie Raja v. Union of India
Case No.: Diary No. 8641/2026; Diary No. 8461/2026
