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FIR Filed Against Himanta Sarma For 'Sonia Gandhi's Home Should Be Burnt' Remark

Sonia Gandhi is the widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and by suggesting that the residence of a 77-year-old lady be burnt down, Himanta Sarma is not just attacking a prominent face of the Opposition but is also giving a clarion call for arson, Debabrata Saikia stated.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 22 September 2023 4:00 am

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Senior Assam Congress figure Debabrata Saikia has lodged a formal complaint with the police regarding Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's purported "inflammatory remarks" concerning Sonia Gandhi. Sarma is alleged to have made these remarks during a rally in Vidisha district, Madhya Pradesh, on September 18, suggesting that Mrs. Gandhi's residence should be subjected to arson.

"Taunting Kamal Nath, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress, about his Hindu identity, Himanta Sarma directly suggested that? 10, Janpath should be burnt," Mr Saikia, the Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly, said in his complaint, as reported by PTI.

Certainly, 10, Janpath is the residence of Sonia Gandhi in Delhi.

"In a country governed by the rule of law, Himanta Sarma has taken electoral rhetoric to its ugliest form" and gave a "clear instigation towards violence and arson", Mr Saikia said.

He added that despite the statement being made in Madhya Pradesh, it has been extensively disseminated through print, electronic, and social media channels, making it accessible to the people in Assam.

Sonia Gandhi is the widow of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and by "suggesting that the residence of a 77-year-old lady be burnt down, Himanta Sarma is not just attacking a prominent face of the Opposition but is also giving a clarion call for arson," he stated.

"Such wanton statements from a person with constitutional authority have the potential to cause misguided persons to resort to violence and potentially harm the residents of 10 Janpath," Mr Saikia said.

He mentioned that the BJP leader could potentially face charges under the Indian Penal Code for provocation leading to rioting and abetment to violence, as per his statement.

In the complaint filed on September 20, Debabrata Saikia included a reference to a newspaper report covering the Chief Minister's speech.

A senior police official stated that they are currently reviewing the complaint and have not reached a decision on it yet.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister is actively involved in campaigning for the BJP in Rajasthan, which is scheduled to hold elections later this year, and he has refrained from making any comments regarding the complaint.