Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has informed the Gauhati High Court that allegations made against him in Public Interest Litigations (PILs) concerning alleged hate speeches are based on selective extracts from news reports that, according to him, do not accurately reflect the context of his statements.
In an affidavit filed before the High Court, Sarma questioned the authenticity and reliability of the materials relied upon by the petitioners, stating that the allegations were largely based on photocopies of newspaper clippings and excerpts from interviews.
The Chief Minister argued that extracting isolated lines or selective portions from interviews could distort the true meaning and intent of a statement, creating an impression different from what was originally conveyed.
Sarma submitted that he was unable to effectively respond to the allegations without examining the original material. He urged the court to direct the petitioners to produce complete and unedited transcripts or recordings of the interviews and statements referred to in the petitions so that he could file a meaningful response.
The affidavit further alleged that some reports contained interpretations, editorial comments, and observations by reporters and authors alongside selective quotations, which he claimed had the effect of misrepresenting his views and damaging his reputation.
Referring to the legal proceedings already underway, the Chief Minister stated that FIRs had already been registered in connection with the allegations and that investigations were currently in progress.
His affidavit also cited the Supreme Court’s judgment in the case of Ashwini Kumar Upadhyaya v. Union of India, in which the apex court observed that existing criminal laws adequately address offences related to hate speech.
Based on this, Sarma contended that since criminal proceedings had already been initiated and investigations were ongoing, the PILs should be dismissed at the threshold stage.
The affidavit was placed before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury on May 27. The court took the affidavit on record and scheduled the next hearing in the matter for August 6.
In the meantime, the bench directed that complete transcripts of the speeches cited in the petitions be submitted for the court’s consideration.
The PILs were filed by noted Assamese scholar Hiren Gohain and two others, seeking directions to restrain the Chief Minister from making alleged hate speeches and requesting an inquiry or investigation into the alleged commission of offences under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During an earlier hearing, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the petitioners, had argued that controversial remarks were allegedly made even after the High Court issued notice in the matter.
The case is expected to come up for further hearing before the Gauhati High Court on August 6.
