'Hate speech' case: Gauhati HC issues notice to CM Himanta Sarma
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Gauhati High Court has issued a notice to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over allegations of hate speech made against him in multiple PILs (Public Interest Litigations). A division bench, led by Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury, heard three petitions and also directed the Assam government and the Director General of Police to respond. The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 21, with no immediate orders issued beyond the notice.
The petitioners include political parties CPI and CPI(M), as well as a joint group comprising Sahitya Akademy awardee Hiren Gohain, former DGP Harekrishna Deka, and senior journalist Paresh Malakar. They allege that Sarma’s remarks have targeted the Bengali-origin Muslim community in Assam, referring to them derogatorily as "Miyas." The petitioners claim that Sarma has incited social and economic boycotts, propagated harmful stereotypes, and encouraged citizens to take law enforcement into their own hands.
The PILs further accuse Sarma of using his official position to harass the minority community and promote communal disharmony. They argue that his actions could divide society and amount to hate speech, demanding immediate cessation of such statements. The petitioners also seek the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by a retired high court judge to probe the allegations.
The case has drawn attention due to its implications for free speech versus communal harmony in India. Similar petitions were dismissed by the Supreme Court earlier this year, but the High Court’s decision to entertain these PILs highlights the ongoing concerns over Sarma’s rhetoric and its impact on Assam’s diverse communities. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for addressing hate speech allegations against public officials in India.
Verticals
worldasia
Originally published on Times of India on 2/26/2026