Assam BJP Official Fired Over Controversial Video

A social media official in Assam BJP has lost his job after a video was posted on the party's X account. The video showed the Chief Minister aiming a rifle. The party said the post was not approved by them.
By Newsroom | Politics, India |

A social media official within the Assam BJP unit has been removed from his post following the circulation of a video depicting Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma symbolically aiming a rifle at two men. The video, which appeared on the party's official X handle, drew significant criticism and was subsequently deleted.

The incident has ignited a fervent debate surrounding political communication and its potential impact, particularly concerning sensitive social and religious matters. The rapid deletion of the video and the subsequent action against the social media official suggest the party is attempting to mitigate further damage and distance itself from the content.

Sequence of Events and Involved Parties

The timeline of events indicates a swift escalation following the video's online appearance:

Red-faced over shooting video, Assam BJP now claims post was ‘unauthorised’, sacks social media man - 1

  • Initial Posting: A video was published on the Assam BJP's official X handle, showing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with a rifle aimed at two individuals, one of whom bore a resemblance to Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi. The caption accompanying the post stated "POINT BLANK SHOT."

  • Content Details: The clip reportedly combined existing footage of Sarma with AI-generated imagery of Muslim men as targets.

  • Opposition Reaction: Various opposition parties, including the Congress, TMC, and CPI(M), vociferously condemned the video, accusing the BJP of promoting hatred and calling for decisive action. Congress leaders described the video as a "call to genocide."

  • Deletion and Denial: The video was deleted from the Assam BJP's X handle. Later, the party stated that the post was "unauthorised" and took action against one of its social media co-conveners.

  • Accusations: Opposition parties, including the Congress's Kerala handle, juxtaposed the video's release with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation.

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The key actors in this episode include:

  • Assam BJP Social Media Department: Responsible for managing the party's online presence in the state.

  • Himanta Biswa Sarma: The Chief Minister of Assam and the central figure depicted in the video.

  • Opposition Parties (Congress, TMC, CPI(M)): Actively critiqued the video and demanded accountability.

  • Biswajit Khound: Identified as the convener of the Assam BJP's social media team. One of the co-conveners was removed.

The Video's Content and Initial Reception

The video in question featured Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in a visual narrative that depicted him aiming a rifle. The targets were presented as two men wearing skullcaps. Crucially, the accompanying caption, "POINT BLANK SHOT," amplified the aggressive framing of the imagery. This specific phrasing, coupled with the visual depiction, led to widespread interpretation of the video as a symbolic act of violence.

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The content itself appears to have been a conflation of real footage and AI-generated elements. Reports indicate that the video combined existing footage of Sarma handling rifles with artificially created images portraying Muslims as targets. This technological blend contributed to the controversy, as AI-generated content can often be used to create highly emotive or misleading narratives.

Initial reception was characterized by outrage from opposition parties. Statements from Congress leaders, such as K C Venugopal, labeled the video as a "call to genocide" and attributed the "venom, hatred and violence" to the BJP. Other parties echoed these sentiments, with the Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose suggesting the video constituted a criminal offense.

Red-faced over shooting video, Assam BJP now claims post was ‘unauthorised’, sacks social media man - 2

BJP's Response and Official Statement

In the wake of the backlash, the Assam BJP has adopted a strategy of disassociation and disciplinary action. The immediate response involved the deletion of the controversial video from its official X account. This action was followed by a more formal statement from the party.

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The Assam BJP has claimed that the social media post was "unauthorised." This assertion implies that the content was published without the explicit approval or knowledge of higher party leadership.

  • Action Taken: As a direct consequence of the incident, one of the four co-conveners of the Assam BJP's social media department has been removed from his position.

  • Team Structure: The state-level social media team is described as being extensive, comprising a convener, two co-conveners, and 20 members, with additional district-level representation. This structure suggests a distributed responsibility for online content.

  • Convener's Stance: Biswajit Khound, the convener of the social media team, reportedly declined to comment on the specifics of the incident, noting the presence of many young members within the team. This reticence further obscures the direct line of accountability within the social media department.

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The party's framing of the post as "unauthorised" serves to deflect direct responsibility for the content and its implications, while the dismissal of a team member signifies a punitive measure.

Red-faced over shooting video, Assam BJP now claims post was ‘unauthorised’, sacks social media man - 3

Opposition's Allegations and Demands

The political opposition has leveled severe accusations against the Assam BJP and, by extension, the national leadership. The central theme of their criticism revolves around the perceived intent and impact of the video.

  • Genocide Allegations: Prominent leaders, including K C Venugopal and others from the Congress party, have explicitly termed the video a "call to genocide," suggesting it reflects a deeper ideological agenda.

  • Incitement to Violence: The opposition argues that the video's imagery and caption serve to incite hatred and violence against minority communities, particularly Muslims.

  • Targeting Minorities: The specific depiction of individuals in skullcaps has been interpreted as a deliberate targeting of the Muslim community.

  • Calls for Action: The opposition has demanded the sacking of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and has urged judicial intervention. Some have called for an investigation by relevant authorities.

  • Broader Criticism: The incident has been used by opposition parties to critique the broader political climate and the nature of discourse employed by the ruling party. The Congress's Kerala handle, for instance, linked the video's timing to PM Modi's visit to Malaysia.

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The opposition's unified stance highlights the political sensitivity surrounding such content and its potential to mobilize public sentiment against the BJP.

Broader Implications and Expert Perspectives

The incident involving the Assam BJP's social media video extends beyond a singular local event, touching upon significant issues in contemporary political communication.

Red-faced over shooting video, Assam BJP now claims post was ‘unauthorised’, sacks social media man - 4

  • AI in Politics: The use of AI-generated imagery in political messaging presents a new frontier for manipulation and propaganda. The video's combination of real and synthetic elements raises questions about authenticity and intent.

  • Hate Speech and Online Discourse: The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle to define and regulate hate speech in the digital age. The visual and textual elements of the video were widely seen as crossing a critical line.

  • Political Accountability: The BJP's response, particularly the claim of an "unauthorised" post, prompts scrutiny into the internal control mechanisms of party social media operations. How does a party ensure its official channels do not disseminate harmful content?

  • Communal Narratives: Experts note that such incidents can amplify existing communal tensions and provide fodder for international criticism regarding the exploitation of religious divisions in politics. The visual portrayal in the video was seen by many as a form of dehumanizing political messaging.

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The video has become a flashpoint in discussions about political messaging, communal harmony, and the accountability of institutions in modern India.

  • This is not an innocuous video to be ignored as troll content. This is nothing but a call to genocide – a dream this fascist regime has harboured since decades.” – K C Venugopal, Congress General Secretary.

  • “The clip combined what appeared to be original footage of Sarma handling rifles with artificial intelligence-generated images portraying Muslims as targets.” – Scroll.in.

Conclusion and Unresolved Questions

The Assam BJP's dismissal of a social media official following the circulation of a controversial video marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of online political content. The party's assertion that the post was "unauthorised" attempts to compartmentalize the incident and mitigate broader damage to its reputation.

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However, several questions remain pertinent:

  • Origin of the Content: While an individual has been removed, the precise origin and authorization process for the video within the social media department require further investigation. Was this an isolated act, or does it indicate systemic issues?

  • Internal Controls: The effectiveness of internal controls within the Assam BJP's social media operations is now under review. How can parties prevent unauthorized and potentially damaging content from being published through official channels?

  • Impact and Interpretation: Regardless of intent, the video's visual and textual elements were widely interpreted as promoting hatred and violence against a specific community. The impact of such messaging on public perception and social cohesion remains a critical concern.

  • Judicial and Regulatory Scrutiny: The opposition's call for judicial action suggests that the incident may lead to further investigations into the legality and ethical implications of political social media campaigns.

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The deletion of the video and the personnel change represent an immediate containment strategy. Nevertheless, the broader debate about responsible political communication, the ethical use of AI in campaigning, and the regulation of online content is likely to persist. The incident underscores the increasing need for vigilance and accountability in the digital political sphere.

  • The Assam BJP has removed a social media official after a video depicting CM Himanta Biswa Sarma symbolically shooting at Muslim men appeared on the party's official X handle. The party claims the post was "unauthorised."

  • Opposition parties have strongly condemned the video, labeling it a "call to genocide" and demanding action against the Chief Minister.

  • The video's use of AI-generated imagery combined with real footage has amplified concerns about manipulative political messaging.

Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was the Assam BJP social media official fired?
He was fired because a video showing the Chief Minister aiming a rifle was posted on the party's official X account. The party said this post was not approved.
Q: What was in the video?
The video showed Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, pointing a rifle. It also seemed to use computer-made images of Muslim men as targets. The post had the words 'POINT BLANK SHOT'.
Q: What did the opposition parties say?
Opposition parties strongly criticized the video. They called it a 'call to genocide' and said it spread hate. They asked for action to be taken.
Q: What did the Assam BJP say about the video?
The Assam BJP said the post was 'unauthorised,' meaning it was posted without their permission. They have removed the video and fired one of their social media team members.