Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi Files Formal Police Complaint Against Assam Chief Minister
In a significant development, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has formally approached the Hyderabad City Police seeking criminal proceedings against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The complaint centers around a now-deleted video that allegedly depicted the Assam leader engaging in actions targeting the Muslim community.
Details of the Controversial Video and Complaint
According to the detailed complaint submitted to the Hyderabad Commissioner of Police, Owaisi specifically referenced a video that was originally posted on the official X handle of the Assam Bharatiya Janata Party on February 7, 2026. Although the video was removed the following day, Owaisi emphasized that it continues to circulate across various social media platforms, maintaining its potential impact.
The complaint alleges that the controversial footage showed Himanta Biswa Sarma armed with a firearm and aiming it at individuals who were "very obviously depicted as Muslims." Accompanying text in the video included phrases such as "Point blank shot" and "No Mercy," which Owaisi argues constituted deliberate inflammatory language.
Owaisi's Allegations and Legal Arguments
In his social media post announcing the complaint, Owaisi stated: "I have lodged an official complaint with CP Hyderabad City Police demanding criminal action against Himanta Sarma for his (now deleted) violent video showing him shooting Muslims. Unfortunately, genocidal hate speech has become a norm."
The Hyderabad MP's complaint goes beyond this single incident, alleging that Sarma has made repeated statements targeting the Muslim community through multiple channels over several years. Owaisi claims these statements have intensified in recent months with the specific intent to "outrage the religious feelings of Muslims" and promote enmity between different religious communities across India.
To establish jurisdiction, Owaisi noted that he personally viewed the controversial video within the territorial limits of the Hyderabad police commissionerate, thereby bringing the matter under their legal purview for potential action.
Legal Precedents Cited in the Complaint
The complaint references significant legal authority, specifically citing the Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Shaheen Abdulla v Union of India & Ors. This landmark judgment directed law enforcement agencies to take suo motu (on their own motion) action in cases involving hate speech. The court further held that police inaction in such matters would amount to a dereliction of constitutional duty.
Owaisi has urged the Hyderabad police to initiate immediate legal proceedings against the Assam chief minister in strict accordance with applicable laws. The complaint frames the video's imagery and language as a "deliberate and malicious act" specifically designed to promote communal hatred and potentially incite violence against a particular religious community.
Broader Context of Communal Discourse
This development occurs against a backdrop of increasing concerns about hate speech and communal rhetoric in Indian politics. Political observers note that complaints of this nature involving senior political figures highlight the ongoing tensions surrounding religious discourse in the public sphere.
The Hyderabad police now face the significant task of evaluating the complaint's merits while navigating the complex political and legal dimensions involved when allegations are made against a sitting chief minister from another state. Legal experts suggest that jurisdictional questions and the interpretation of what constitutes hate speech versus political expression will likely be central to how authorities proceed with this sensitive matter.
