Assam Police lodge complaints against Mallikarjun Kharge over hate speech

Mallikarjun Kharge

Nava Thakuria

Guwahati, April 7

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), through its Uttar Asom and Dakshin Asom Prants formally lodged police complaints at Dispur police station in Guwahati and Silchar police station in Barak valley on 7 April 2026 seeking legal action over alleged derogatory, provocative, and communally sensitive statements made during a recent election rally in south Assam.

According to the complaints, Indian National Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made controversial remarks during an election rally at Nilambazar under the Karimganj south assembly constituency under Sribhumi district. In his speech, Kharge allegedly compared the ideology of RSS and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a poisonous snake and suggested its elimination.

As cited in the complaint, Kharge stated “If a poisonous snake is moving in front of you while you are offering Namaz, you must stop the prayer and rush to kill the poisonous snake first — that is what the Quran prescribes you to do. I tell you that the RSS and BJP are similar to such a poisonous snake; if you do not eliminate it, you may not survive.”

The RSS has expressed serious concern that such remarks are inflammatory in nature and capable of inciting hostility, intimidation, and violence against workers and supporters of RSS and BJP, while invoking religious sentiments during an election campaign ahead of State legislative assembly polls scheduled for 9 April.

The complaints asserted that the statement constitutes a corrupt electoral practice under Section 83 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and further allege that the remarks criminally intimidated the public and promoted enmity between supporters of different political and social groups. The complainants have argued that describing the ideology of RSS and BJP as poisonous and allegedly calling for their elimination could be interpreted as encouraging bodily harm against members and supporters of these organizations.

The FIR, endorsed by Khagen Saikia, Karyavah of Uttar Asom Prant, and Jyotsnamoy Chakraborty, Dakshin Asom Prant Sanghchalak, further stated that the remarks attempt to promote communal division between Hindu and Muslim communities, potentially disturbing public peace & harmony in Assam and influencing the electoral environment.

The complaints warn that such statements may lead to communal tensions or clashes if not addressed promptly by the authorities. The RSS emphasized that democratic discourse must remain within constitutional and legal boundaries and that electoral campaigning should not resort to language capable of endangering social cohesion or public peace.