Jharkhand Congress Leader Files Police Complaint Against Assam CM Over Controversial Social Media Post
In a significant development, Sourav Agrawal, the vice-president of the Jharkhand Congress youth wing, has formally lodged a complaint at the Sadar police station in Ranchi against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The complaint centers on a now-deleted post on the social media platform X, which allegedly targeted individuals from a specific community in a manner that could incite fear and hostility.
Details of the Controversial Post and Police Response
According to Agrawal's complaint filed on Monday, the official X handle of the BJP Assam Pradesh posted a video on February 7 showing Chief Minister Sarma aiming and firing what appears to be a firearm at two people belonging to a particular community. Agrawal asserted that both the imagery and the accompanying caption were deliberately crafted to instill fear and provoke animosity among sections of the public, thereby violating legal and ethical boundaries.
Ranchi (Sadar) Deputy Superintendent of Police Dajeev Besra confirmed that the police have registered a preliminary inquiry against the Assam Chief Minister and others in connection with the complaint. "We are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter," Besra stated on Tuesday. "If the evidence warrants further action, a Zero FIR will be registered and forwarded to the appropriate police station in Assam for jurisdictional handling."
Additional Demands and Broader Implications
Beyond targeting Chief Minister Sarma, Agrawal's complaint includes additional demands for stringent measures. He has urged the police to formally request the X platform to take down the BJP's official social media handle permanently. Furthermore, Agrawal has called for strict legal action against Biswajit Khaund, the convener of the Assam BJP's social media department, and Bikash Gaurav, its co-convener, holding them accountable for the content posted.
This incident highlights the escalating tensions between political parties over the use of social media for potentially inflammatory messaging. It raises critical questions about the responsibilities of public figures and political organizations in maintaining decorum and preventing the spread of content that could harm social harmony. The police investigation is ongoing, and its outcomes may set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, particularly involving high-profile individuals and digital platforms.
