Assam Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma is embroiled in a sharp political confrontation with the Opposition following an AI-generated video allegedly depicting the “targeted, point-blank murder of minorities”, and over serious allegations he levelled against Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi.
The controversy escalated after the Assam BJP shared — and later deleted — the AI-generated video on social media. Amid mounting criticism, Sarma addressed a press conference where he released documents claiming that Gogoi and his British wife have Pakistani “deep links”.
Himanta vs Opposition | 10 Key Points
1. BJP’s deleted AI video post
The Assam unit of the BJP posted an AI-generated video on social media showing Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma aiming a rifle and firing at an image of two individuals wearing skull caps. The post was captioned “point blank shot”. The video also featured Sarma’s photograph alongside text reading: “Identity, land and roots come first; Why did you go to Pakistan; No forgiveness for Bangladeshis.” The post was later deleted from X.
2. Opposition calls video ‘abhorrent and disturbing’
The Congress strongly condemned the video, alleging it glorified “targeted, point-blank murder of minorities”. In a statement on X, the party said the content amounted to a call for mass violence and genocide and could not be dismissed as random troll activity. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said the video reflected “poison being spread from the very top” and demanded accountability.
3. Sarma alleges Gogoi’s secret Pakistan visit
At a press conference in Guwahati, CM Sarma alleged that Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi had secretly visited Pakistan in 2013 without informing Indian authorities. He further claimed that Gogoi may have undergone “some kind of training” there, according to PTI.
4. Claim of legitimising Pakistan
Sarma referred to a viral photograph allegedly showing Gogoi escorting youth to the Pakistan High Commission during Abdul Basit’s tenure as High Commissioner. He claimed the act attempted to “legitimise Pakistan” and invoked the sacrifice of Captain Jintu Gogoi during the Kargil War. Sarma said the image, initially dismissed as photoshopped, was later endorsed by Congress leaders.
5. Allegations against Gogoi’s wife
The Assam CM alleged that Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth Colburn Gogoi, worked in Pakistan between March 2011 and March 2012. He claimed she collected information about India and shared it with Pakistan, and further alleged she travelled to Pakistan nine times while working with two Indian organisations.
6. Links to Ali Tauqeer Sheikh
Sarma alleged that the Gogoi family has close connections with Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and claimed the trio were part of an anti-India conspiracy. He recommended a probe by a central agency and alleged that although Elizabeth was transferred to India by a Pakistani firm, her salary was paid by Sheikh.
7. Gogoi dismisses claims as ‘C-grade cinema’
Congress MP and Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi rejected the allegations, calling Sarma’s press conference “worse than a C-grade cinema” and a “super flop”. In a post on X, Gogoi criticised the CM for presenting “mindless and bogus points” and accused him of diverting attention from the Congress’s Xomoy Parivartan Yatra.
8. 12,000-bigha land allegation raised
Gogoi alleged that Sarma revived old accusations to counter Congress claims regarding an alleged 12,000-bigha land grab involving the CM’s family. He questioned why the allegations were not raised earlier if they were serious and said the BJP was rattled ahead of elections.
9. Congress says CM ‘lost mental balance’
AICC general secretary Jitendra Singh accused Sarma of diminishing the dignity of the CM’s office and making baseless personal allegations without documentary evidence. He said the SIT formed by the Assam government lacked jurisdiction and accused the government of misleading the public.
10. Questions over delayed action
Former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora questioned why no action was taken after 2014 if Gogoi’s alleged Pakistan visit in 2013 was so serious. He said Sarma’s admission about the SIT’s limited authority exposed the state government’s incompetence and warned against branding individuals as “Pakistani agents” without conclusive proof.
