The complaint alleges the Chief Minister’s remarks could legitimise the image of the banned ULFA (Independent) chief and seeks an investigation under the UAPA and other applicable laws
Guwahati: The Jatiya Yuva Bahini, the youth wing of Raijor Dal, has sought the registration of an FIR against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his recent remarks referring to banned ULFA (Independent) chief Paresh Baruah, alleging that the statement could amount to legitimising the image of a proscribed militant leader.
The complaint was submitted at Dispur Police Station on July 11, seeking a fair and independent investigation into remarks made by the Chief Minister during a press conference on the controversy surrounding a mural of late singer Zubeen Garg at Ganeshguri.
According to the complaint, the Chief Minister had said that if anyone wished to paint the image of a “revolutionary”, they could instead paint Paresh Baruah rather than Che Guevara. The youth wing argued that the statement carries serious legal implications as ULFA (Independent) is a banned organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
The organisation contended that such remarks from the state’s highest constitutional executive could create public confusion and lend legitimacy to the leader of a banned militant outfit. It also argued that while ordinary citizens have faced legal action for allegedly expressing support for ULFA leaders through social media posts, songs, poems and photographs, the same legal standards should apply to constitutional authorities.
“Equality before the law is a fundamental constitutional principle, and no person is above the law,” the complaint stated, urging police to preserve the complete audio-video recording and transcript of the press conference, examine whether the statement attracts provisions of the UAPA, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, or any other applicable law, and initiate action if a cognisable offence is found.
The complaint was signed by Jatiya Yuva Bahini president Gyanashree Bora, working president Saurav Bora and information and publicity secretary Ankuman Bordoloi. There was no immediate response from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma or the Assam government.
