SC to hear plea seeking removal of BJP’s ‘communal video’ on Nov 25

Guwahati: The Supreme Court on Friday said it will hear the plea, seeking directions to take down a video from BJP Assam Pradesh’s official X handle, which allegedly “openly targets, vilifies and demonizes Muslims,” on Nov 25.Appearing before a bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, the counsel for the applicant pointed out that although the apex court had issued notice on the application on Oct 7 and had directed it to be listed for hearing on Oct 28, it was not heard on that date.The application, filed by advocate Lzafeer Ahmad, alleges that the video in question was circulated by BJP’s Assam unit on Sept15 via its official X handle’, presenting a “grossly false narrative” that Muslims will take over Assam — including tea estates, Guwahati airport and Guwahati town — if BJP was voted out of power.The plea argues that the video features individuals wearing skull caps and burqas, painting a communal picture of political change.The petition alleges that the state govt is constitutionally obligated to act as guardian of all communities and is prohibited from engaging in discrimination, based on religion, race, caste, gender, or language. “Thus, the burden of being fair, just and secular is far greater on an elected govt,” the plea states.

According to the application, the video had garnered 4.6 million views, 19,000 likes and 6,100 reposts by Sept 18, raising concerns about its potential to incite communal disharmony and unrest in the state.The plea seeks urgent directions to X India Pvt Ltd and BJP Assam Pradesh to remove the video from the social media platform to prevent further spread of enmity and hate.