40 Eminent Citizens Seek Case Against Assam CM Over Alleged 'Hate Speech'

A group of prominent citizens from Assam has written to the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, seeking the registration of a suo motu case against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over alleged hate speech and urging judicial intervention in the matter.

In the letter, signed by around 40 distinguished individuals from different walks of life, the signatories appealed to the High Court to step in and ensure accountability, alleging that the Chief Minister’s public remarks had violated constitutional principles and contributed to social division.

Among those who endorsed the letter are noted intellectual Hiren Gohain, former Director General of Police Harekrishna Deka, advocate Santanu Borthakur and scientist Dulal Chandra Goswami.

The signatories claimed that the Chief Minister’s statements amounted to public provocation and were directed at causing distress to members of the ‘Miya’ community. They argued that such remarks not only undermine the spirit of the Constitution but also risk deepening communal tensions in the state.

Referring to Supreme Court guidelines on hate speech, the letter maintained that law enforcement agencies are duty-bound to register cases on their own in instances of inflammatory public statements, even without a formal complaint.

Calling the matter serious and urgent, the group urged the Gauhati High Court to take cognisance and ensure that due legal procedures are followed, stressing that those in constitutional positions must uphold the values of equality, restraint and responsibility in public discourse.

ALSO READ: Jamiat takes Assam CM to Supreme Court over ‘Hate Speech’