The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday granted the Assam government a final opportunity to submit its response to a series of Public Interest Litigations (PILs) accusing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of delivering “hate speech.” The court has set a strict deadline for the state to file its affidavit before the next hearing on May 28.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury heard a cluster of petitions alleging that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma engaged in communal rhetoric targeting minority communities. While the state government sought more time, the bench emphasized that the response must be filed “positively” by the next date, with advance copies served to the petitioners’ counsel. The case, which involves allegations of instigating communal disharmony and calls for economic boycotts, has been scheduled for further deliberation on May 28, 2026.
The legal battle stems from three separate PILs filed in February 2026. One notable petition was moved by Sahitya Akademi award-winning scholar Hiren Gohain, former Director General of Police (DGP) Harekrishna Deka, and senior journalist Paresh Malakar. Additional petitions were filed by the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the CPI(M).
The petitioners allege that the Chief Minister has engaged in a “sustained pattern of hate speech.” Key points of contention include:
- Targeting Minorities: Allegations that the CM used derogatory terms like “Miyas” to describe Bengali-origin Muslims.
- Incitement to Violence: Claims that Sarma released videos and made speeches inciting civilians to take the law into their own hands.
- Economic Boycott: The PILs cite instances where the CM allegedly called for the social and economic boycott of the minority community.
- Controversial Imagery: Reference was made to a now-deleted video on the social media platform X, purportedly showing the CM aiming a rifle at members of a specific community.
The matter reached the Gauhati High Court after the Supreme Court, on February 16, declined to entertain the petitions directly. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the petitioners to approach the High Court, emphasizing that the Gauhati HC Chief Justice should expedite the hearing.
During earlier proceedings on February 26, the Gauhati High Court had observed a “fissiparous tendency” in the alleged remarks and issued formal notices to Sarma, the Union Government, the State of Assam, and the Director General of Police.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the state representative assured the bench that the response affidavit would be filed before the next session. The petitioners, represented by senior advocates including Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that the Chief Minister’s remarks violated his constitutional oath and created a “climate of impunity” by targeting a community based on religion and language.
The petitioners have demanded the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), chaired by a retired High Court judge, to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations.
