Congress Condemns BJP Assam's Controversial 'Point-Blank Shot' Video
The Indian National Congress launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party this Sunday, following the emergence of a highly contentious video posted on the official X handle of the BJP's Assam unit. The now-deleted footage has ignited a political firestorm, with the opposition alleging it depicts the 'targeted point-blank murder of minorities' and demanding immediate judicial intervention with zero tolerance.
Video Content and Allegations of AI Manipulation
The controversial video presented a disturbing montage. It reportedly showed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma handling and firing an air rifle. This genuine footage was interspersed with segments that appear to be artificially generated, depicting bullets from the rifle striking images of two individuals—one adorned with a skull cap and the other sporting a beard, traditional markers of Muslim identity. The clip was captioned 'point-blank shot', amplifying its inflammatory nature.
Further intensifying the outrage, the video allegedly portrayed Sarma in the style of a Western film hero, accompanied by text advocating for a 'foreigner free Assam'. Reports indicate the inclusion of Assamese phrases such as 'no mercy,' 'Why did you not go to Pakistan?' and 'There is no forgiveness to Bangladeshis.'
Opposition Outcry and Calls for Accountability
Congress leadership reacted with fury. K C Venugopal, the party's General Secretary in charge of organisation, denounced the video on social media platform X. 'An official BJP handle posted a video showing the targeted, 'point-blank' murder of minorities. This is nothing but a call to genocide - a dream this fascist regime has harboured for decades,' Venugopal stated. He expressed no expectation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would condemn the act but insisted the judiciary must act decisively without leniency.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate argued that merely deleting the video was insufficient. 'This is who the BJP really is: Mass murderers. This venom, hatred and violence is on you, Mr. Modi. Are the courts and other institutions sleeping?' she questioned in her post.
Wider Political Condemnation and Democratic Concerns
The condemnation extended beyond the Congress. Aman Wadud, a Congress leader and lawyer from Assam, labeled the video as 'vile, criminal, and disgraceful', questioning the state of Indian democracy. 'Can we still call ourselves a democracy? This is what we are up against! This is the system we are resisting!' Wadud exclaimed.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticized the BJP, calling it 'one of the most hate-driven, targeted videos'. She noted that despite its deletion, the video had been widely downloaded and shared, and she lambasted the Election Commission for what she perceived as inaction. 'Shamelessly, EC will ignore this vilest form of hate and political targeting. Toothless and useless, literally, in front of BJP,' Chaturvedi added.
Broader Implications and Key Takeaways
This incident occurs as Assam prepares for state assembly elections later this year, casting a long shadow over the political climate. The controversy underscores several critical issues:
- The video has faced widespread criticism for allegedly inciting hatred and violence against religious minorities.
- Opposition parties are united in demanding strict accountability from the BJP and robust action from the judicial system.
- The episode raises profound and alarming questions about the health of democratic norms, ethical political discourse, and the use of manipulated media in India's electoral landscape.
The demand for institutional response remains a central point of contention, highlighting deep-seated anxieties about communal harmony and political rhetoric in the nation.
