NEW DELHI: A political storm has erupted in India after a video allegedly showing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma firing a weapon at images of Muslims circulated widely on social media, prompting strong condemnation from opposition parties.
According to Indian media reports, the video shows the Assam chief minister shooting at pictures mounted on a wall, bearing the words “No Mercy.” The footage quickly went viral, triggering outrage across political and civil society circles.
Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, have denounced the act as a “call for genocide” and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of promoting religious hatred for political gain. NDTV reported that opposition leaders stressed the video cannot be dismissed as mere social media content, warning that it fuels violence and deepens communal divisions.
Political analysts argue that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Hindutva ideology has moved beyond rhetoric and is increasingly reflected in state policies, with India’s Muslim minority bearing the brunt.
Critics also pointed out that this is not the first time Himanta Biswa Sarma has faced allegations of making inflammatory remarks or taking actions perceived as hostile toward minorities.
