Outrage after BJP Assam posts AI Video with "Anti-Muslim" Narrative Ahead of Elections

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP)Assam Pradesh unit posted an AI-generated video on its official X account, stirring widespread controversy by depicting a Muslim-dominated Assam in the absence of BJP governance.

The video, which has amassed 2.5 million views, carries the caption: “We can’t let this dream of Paaijaan (Muslims) to be true!!”

The video opens with an elderly Muslim man butchering meat, labelled “Beef Legalisation,” followed by scenes featuring Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Gaurav Gogoi against a backdrop of a Pakistani flag, captioned “Pakistan Link Party.”

It portrays Assam’s iconic tea gardens filled exclusively with Muslim tourists, labelled “Assam Tea States,” and depicts landmarks like Guwahati Airport, Guwahati Accoland water park, the historic Rang Ghar, and the Guwahati stadium populated solely by Muslims. The video further suggests unchecked illegal immigration from neighbouring countries, with Hindus losing land to Muslims and a claim that Assam’s population would be 90% Muslim without the BJP. It concludes with the message: “Choose Your Vote Carefully.”

The state, currently under BJP rule with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, faces assembly elections in 2026. Sarma has frequently been criticised for his anti-Muslim rhetoric and advocacy for stringent measures against illegal immigration, often targeting the Muslim community.

The video has drawn sharp criticism, notably from Hyderabad MP and AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who condemned it as “disgusting” on X. He accused the BJP of promoting a “repulsive Hindutva ideology” that views Muslims’ existence in India as a problem, aiming for a “Muslim-mukt Bharat.” Owaisi argued that the video is not merely election propaganda but a reflection of the BJP’s divisive vision, lacking a constructive agenda for India.

Public reaction to X has been polarised. Some users described the video as depicting a “very scary situation,” while others condemned it as a deliberate attempt to incite communal hatred. One user sarcastically remarked, “BJP can’t campaign without Pakistan,” while another criticised the leadership, stating, “Shame on every Assamese Hindu who endorses this vicious ad. This is what Himanta Biswa Sarma has reduced Assam to—a radicalised communal state.”

Others highlighted the BJP’s divisive tactics, with one user noting, “BJP’s hate-driven politics is becoming a cancer for India. Instead of uniting, they thrive on dividing Hindus and Muslims just to grab votes.” Another pointed to neglected civic issues, saying, “Your Hindu-Muslim trick failed. Try something else, like good roads, more employment.”

Critics also emphasised Assam’s historical diversity as a strength, accusing the BJP of portraying it as a problem for political gain. One X user remarked, “This campaign shows the BJP resorting to fear and division. Assam’s diversity, its strength for centuries, is being exploited for votes, not for the people’s well-being.”

The controversy comes amid other concerns in Assam, including the recent death of Amzad Ali, declared a foreigner by the state government, in a detention centre, further fueling debates over the BJP’s policies toward minorities.