Guwahati

The political confrontation in Assam intensified on Monday with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi trading sharp allegations, as Gogoi accused the CM of “inciting genocide” against Muslims through social media videos, while Sarma dismissed questions over a now-deleted clip purportedly showing him firing at Muslim figures.

The escalation comes ahead of Assembly elections due in the state within the next three months.

Addressing a press conference, Gogoi rejected Sarma’s allegation that he had links with Pakistan, saying there was nothing in the Assam Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) report to substantiate claims that he had undergone any “training” there or was involved in anti-national activities.

“If there was anything serious from a national security perspective, why did the chief minister sit on the report for six months?” Gogoi asked, questioning the delay in making the findings public.

Gogoi also accused Sarma of promoting hate against a minority community, alleging that a video shared by the Assam BJP’s official social media handle — later deleted — showed the chief minister symbolically shooting at figures “clearly depicted as Muslims.”

“The Assam chief minister is inciting genocide against Muslims through his videos. Police must take suo motu cognisance,” Gogoi said.

The video, uploaded on Saturday with captions such as “point-blank shot,” triggered a political backlash and was removed a day later.

Speaking to reporters later on the sidelines of an official programme in Dibrugarh, Sarma claimed ignorance of the video. “I don’t know anything about any video,” he said, adding that he was also unaware of any complaint filed against him.

“If any case has been filed, arrest me. I have no objection. I will always stand by my words,” the chief minister said, reiterating his opposition to what he described as Bangladeshi infiltration.

On Monday, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi lodged a complaint with Hyderabad Police seeking criminal action against Sarma over the deleted clip.

The war of words further sharpened after Sarma renewed his attack on Gogoi over a visit to Pakistan in 2013, alleging that the Congress leader travelled to areas not permitted under the terms of his visa.

In a post on X during Gogoi’s press conference, Sarma said Takshashila (Taxila) is located in Rawalpindi district and not within Islamabad city limits, questioning how Gogoi visited the site if his visa allowed travel only to Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.

“Under Pakistan’s immigration rules, travel beyond visa-designated cities is not permitted without specific authorisation,” Sarma said, adding that Rawalpindi is a “restricted, high-security” district.

Responding, Gogoi said the chief minister should “use Google Maps more carefully,” adding that Taxila is a day’s trip from Islamabad and that his passport, submitted to the Government of India in 2014, contains all relevant visa records.

Explaining his Pakistan visit, Gogoi said he had accompanied his wife, Elizabeth Colburn, who was there for work-related reasons. “The SIT never questioned me about the visit,” he said.

The SIT was constituted to probe alleged links between Gogoi’s wife and Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, whom the Assam government claims interfered in India’s internal affairs. Sarma on Sunday alleged that Gogoi, his wife and Sheikh shared a “deeper connection” and said the report would be sent to the Centre for further investigation.

Rejecting the allegations, Gogoi said dragging his minor children into the controversy was “a new low,” warning the chief minister against personal attacks.

He also alleged that despite threats to his life, he was being denied security cover available to other Congress leaders in the state.

READ MORE: Why reviving Ganga-Jamuni culture is the need of the hour

Gogoi accused Sarma of selectively releasing the SIT findings close to elections and said the chief minister should instead focus on issues such as tribal status for six communities, drug abuse and governance failures.