A fresh political storm has erupted after Asaduddin Owaisi filed a formal complaint against Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of deliberately provoking communal hatred through a violent social media video. The AIMIM chief approached authorities in Hyderabad, demanding criminal action after a now-deleted clip showed Sarma aiming a rifle and firing at two Muslim men, accompanied by the phrase “point-blank shot.” The video, initially shared from an account linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party in Assam, spread rapidly online before being removed following public backlash.

Owaisi stated that the imagery and language used were not accidental or symbolic but a calculated attempt to inflame hatred against Muslims and normalize violence against a religious community. In his complaint, he cited constitutional duties of public officials to protect harmony and fundamental rights, arguing that a sitting chief minister displaying such content amounts to dangerous incitement. Many social media users described the clip as an open threat, with critics warning that when leaders glorify violence, it legitimizes real-world attacks and deepens communal fractures across the country.

The AIMIM president has urged Hyderabad City Police to take swift legal action, stressing that hate speech and violent symbolism have become disturbingly common in political discourse. While no official response has yet come from Sarma or the BJP regarding the complaint, the controversy has reignited debate over accountability for powerful leaders and the shrinking line between political messaging and outright incitement. For many, the episode isn’t just about one video — it reflects a growing culture where communal provocation is used as a political weapon, with potentially deadly consequences.