Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (File photo)
NEW DELHI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said he was ready to be arrested after AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi filed a police complaint against him over a now-deleted Assam BJP’s controversial video.The BJP leader also said he didn’t know anything about the video, adding that he would continue to oppose Bangladeshi infiltrators.”I am ready to go to jail, what can I do? I do not know anything about any video. If he has filed a case against me, arrest me; what objection do I have? I have no objection. But I stand by my words, I am against Bangladeshi infiltrators and I will continue to be against them,” the Assam chief minister told news agency ANI.His remarks came after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi lodged an official complaint with Hyderabad City Police seeking criminal action against Sarma over a “now-deleted video” allegedly depicting violence against Muslims, describing it as “genocidal hate speech.”In a post on X, Owaisi said he had approached the Hyderabad City Police Commissioner on Monday, alleging that the video showed Sarma symbolically shooting at persons “very obviously depicted as Muslims.” “I have lodged an official complaint with @CPHydCity demanding criminal action against Himanta Sarma for his (now deleted) violent video showing him shooting Muslims. Unfortunately, genocidal hate speech has become a norm. ” He also attached a copy of the complaint, stating that the imagery and phrases used in the video, including “Point blank shot” and “No Mercy,” were intended to outrage religious feelings, promote communal hatred, and incite violence.According to the complaint, the video was uploaded on February 7 from the official X account of the Assam BJP and was taken down a day later, though it continues to circulate on social media. Owaisi argued that law enforcement agencies are constitutionally bound to act suo motu in cases of hate speech, even without a formal complaint.Owaisi also raised the issue during a public rally in Zaheerabad on Sunday while campaigning for the Telangana municipal elections scheduled for February 11. Shifting focus from local civic issues to what he described as a national crisis of dignity, Owaisi accused the BJP of spreading communal hatred and urged voters to strengthen AIMIM as an antidote to communalism.Addressing supporters, Owaisi highlighted AIMIM’s relief work during incidents such as the Jainoor violence and the Medak town clashes, alleging inaction by both the Congress and BRS governments. He said municipal elections were crucial for everyday governance and appealed to voters to back AIMIM candidates for inclusive development and effective grassroots leadership.