Fresh plea by 4 Assamese in Supreme Court seeks action against Assam CM over alleged hate speeches
New Delhi: Under Article 32 of the Constitution, a fresh writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a series of alleged hate speeches targeting a minority community in the state.
The Live Law reported that the petition has been filed by retired academic and public intellectual. The petitioners are Hiren Gohain, former Assam director general of police Harekrishna Deka, Northeast Now editor-in-chief Paresh Chandra Malakar and senior advocate Santanu Borthakur.
The plea alleges that the Chief Minister has repeatedly promoted discrimination, social and economic boycott and violence against Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam on grounds of religion, language, place of birth and residence, through public speeches, press interactions and social media posts.
Advocate Rupali Samuel mentioned the matter before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Seeking urgent listing, she requested that the petition be heard along with an earlier plea raising similar issues. The Chief Justice agreed to list it alongside the pending matter. On Monday, petitions filed by the CPI(M) and the CPI seeking registration of an FIR and a court-monitored SIT probe against Sarma were also mentioned before the court.
According to the petition, Sarma has used expressions such as “Miya” and “Bangladeshi”, described in the plea as derogatory slurs against Bengali-origin Muslims, and has publicly called for their social and economic boycott.
The plea refers to statements allegedly made by the Chief Minister on January 25 and 27, 2026, in connection with the summary revision of electoral rolls in Assam. It claims that Sarma suggested that notices under the exercise were being served selectively and that “Miya votes” needed to be curtailed. The petition further alleges that he admitted to directing party workers to file complaints against members of the minority community with the intent of causing harassment.
The petition also cites statements attributed to Sarma in which he allegedly called upon people to “give trouble” to the community and create conditions that would make it difficult for them to continue living in Assam. It refers to remarks advocating non-cooperation and civil disobedience, and calling for denial of land, vehicles and livelihood opportunities to the targeted group.
In another instance, the plea refers to a video posted on February 7, 2026, on the X handle of the Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party, showing Sarma holding a gun and using the words “point blank shoot” in a context alleged to target persons wearing attire associated with the minority community.
The petitioners have alleged that despite the circulation of speeches that prima facie disclose offences relating to promotion of enmity and incitement to violence, no suo motu FIR has been registered by the state authorities. They have claimed that law enforcement's inaction when the alleged speaker holds the highest executive office in the state, has produced an environment of impunity.
Relying on the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment in Tehseen S. Poonawalla v. Union of India and subsequent orders in Shaheen Abdulla v. Union of India, the plea argues that once speech crosses into hate speech, registration of FIRs is mandatory, while it cannot be left to executive discretion.
The petition seeks an order prohibiting the Chief Minister and his associates from delivering alleged hate statements, as well as an action against him for violating his constitutional oath under Article 164(3) read with the Third Schedule.
Among the reliefs requested are instructions for a Special Investigation Team probe or, alternatively, the formation of a commission led by a former Supreme Court judge to supervise and monitor the investigation.
The petition submitted by advocate-on-record Yash Vijay, claims that the Supreme Court's needs to intervene to protect the constitutional safeguards under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21. The plea was
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
