Assam Congress MLA from Nazira constituency and Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia on Wednesday lodged a police complaint against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, for his alleged hate speech during the "Jan Ashirwad" rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Vidisha district on Tuesday. He accused Himanta Biswa Sarma of ridiculing former MP CM Kamal Nath over his Hindu identity and implying that the official residence of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi should be burnt.
The complaint, which was lodged at the Nazira Model Police Station in Sivasagar district, read, “I am constrained to lodge this FIR on account of the banal and hateful statement given by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on September 19, 2023, during the "Jan Ashirwad" rally in Madhya Pradesh. In a country governed by the rule of law, Sarma has taken electoral rhetoric to its ugliest form. While taunting Kamal Nath, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress about his Hindu identity, Sarma has directly suggested that 10, Janpath, should be burnt.”
“Sarma has given a clear instigation towards violence and arson. Be it stated here that 10, Janpath is the residence of Sonia Gandhi, a Member of Parliament and the former President of the Indian National Congress. Gandhi also happens to be the widow of the former Prime Minister of India. By suggesting that the residence of a 77-year-old lady be burnt down, Sarma is not just attacking a prominent face of the opposition, but he is giving a clarion call towards arson. 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,” Saikia stated in his complaint.
“This is a clear instigation towards rioting and abetment of arson on the part of Himanta Biswa Sarma and he is liable to be booked under sections 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 115 (Abetment) and 436 (Mischief by fire or any explosive substance, intending to cause destruction of any building), of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),” Saikia further stated in his complaint.
“Though the statement was made in Madhya Pradesh, it has been widely circulated over the print, electronic and social media and it is accessible in Assam. Accordingly, the effects of the instigation and violent rhetoric are felt within your good office’s jurisdiction. I, therefore, implore you to register an FIR and take necessary action in this regard,” the complaint added.
Speaking to mediapersons on Thursday, Saikia pointed out that the Supreme Court has asked the political leaders to desist from delivering "hate speeches". He said that the apex court has directed the police in all states of the country to take suo motu cognizance against any leader found to be involved in such an act. "However, our Chief Minister said that if Kamal Nath, the Madhya Pradesh Congress chief, is a Hanuman bhakt then he should set 10 Janpath on fire, the way Hanuman set Lanka ablaze,” Saikia said.
Accusing CM Sarma of making communal statements often, Saikia said: “We all know that 10 Janpath is the official residence of senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who is also a senior Lok Sabha MP. Gandhi represents the Congress and is a distinguished woman. I strongly condemn such instigating and derogatory remarks against her. So the Assam police, abiding by the Supreme Court’s directive, should take cognizance, under relevant sections of the IPC, against Sarma."