Guwahati, May 8: Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has filed a police complaint against two senior BJP leaders—Pradan Baruah, MP from Lakhimpur, and Bhubon Pegu, MLA from Jonai—alleging they made inflammatory and violence-inciting remarks during a political campaign.
The complaint, lodged at Chimen Chapori Police Station in Dhemaji district, cites a viral video that surfaced on Facebook on May 5. The footage, aired by the ‘Sign On’ Channel and reshared by BJP worker Lakhyajyoti Gogoi, captures a conversation between the two leaders and constituents during what appears to be a campaign event.
In the video, MLA Bhuban Pegu is heard saying: “I am saying, this is no game, we must engage in physical violence.” MP Pradan Baruah follows with an even more provocative remark: “If you engage in a fight, kill them outright.”
Saikia, in the complaint, described the comments as deliberate attempts to provoke violence, incite public disorder, and promote enmity between communities. He stated that the remarks, made publicly and during a political event, were “clearly intended to threaten public tranquillity and undermine national integration.”
The FIR cites specific provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, under which the accused may be prosecuted – section 196 (Promoting enmity between groups based on religion, language, etc), section 197 (Imputations prejudicial to national integration), Section 351 (Criminal intimidation) and section 3(5) (Acts committed in furtherance of common intention).
Saikia emphasized that the video has already sparked public outrage and unrest. He argued that the leaders’ words were clear and could not be misinterpreted.
Referring to recent violence during polling in Jonai, where one youth was killed and several injured, Saikia suggested the remarks may have contributed to the tension. “Six women were arrested that day. The situation remains volatile,” he noted.
He urged the police to seize all electronic evidence, halt further spread of the video, and take legal action against the two leaders. He also called for an impartial and prompt investigation.
