New Delhi, Feb 10, 2026: The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday agreed to consider a petition filed by leaders of Left parties seeking urgent legal action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a now-deleted video that has triggered widespread political outrage.

The petition

The petition, moved by advocates representing the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), alleges that the video, originally shared on the official social media account of the Assam BJP, depicted Sarma aiming a rifle at two men portrayed as Muslim. Critics say the imagery and associated captions carried inflammatory communal overtones that could incite hatred and violence.

Senior advocate Nizam Pasha, appearing for the petitioners, told the bench that despite complaints filed with authorities over the video and related statements, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered. He urged the court to intervene immediately, arguing that the conduct depicted and the remarks attributed to Sarma warranted judicial scrutiny.

The three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and including Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N V Anjaria, acknowledged the plea and said it would set a hearing date soon. CJI Surya Kant remarked that disputes of this nature often surface around election season and that “a part of the election is fought in the Supreme Court”, indicating awareness of the timing and sensitivity of the matter.

The Controversial Video and Backlash

The video was first posted on February 7 on the Assam BJP’s official X (formerly Twitter) account with the caption “Point blank shot.” It reportedly showed what appeared to be Chief Minister Sarma aiming and symbolically firing at figures depicted as belonging to the Muslim community. The imagery included scenes of gunfire and added text that critics said referenced communal identity.

Following intense political criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups, including complaints by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who labelled the content “genocidal hate speech” in a formal police complaint, the Assam BJP deleted the post.

Opposition leaders from the Congress, AIMIM, CPI(M) and other parties have accused the BJP of promoting hatred and normalising violence through official political messaging. In public statements, they demanded strict action, saying deleting the video was insufficient given the seriousness of the allegations.

In response to questions from reporters, Chief Minister Sarma denied any personal knowledge of the video and said he would be willing to face legal consequences if complaints were filed. He reiterated his political stance against what he describes as illegal immigration.

Political and Legal Significance

The case has drawn national attention, in part because it intersects with broader debates about hate speech, minority rights, social media content, and electoral politics in India. The Supreme Court’s willingness to hear the plea reflects the heightened role of the judiciary in adjudicating politically charged issues in the run-up to state elections.

A hearing date is expected to be scheduled in the coming days.

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