AI Video by Assam BJP Sparks Outrage Over Anti-Muslim Messaging
An AI-generated video released by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam has triggered widespread criticism on social media and from political leaders. The video portrays Muslims as illegal migrants and land grabbers, sparking accusations of hate-mongering and an attempt to polarise voters ahead of elections.
Titled “Assam Without BJP”, the video imagines a scenario where the BJP is no longer in power in Assam. It features Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi and Rahul Gandhi, and allegedly attempts to link the Congress party with Pakistan, drawing heavy backlash from opposition parties.
Opposition Reactions
Congress secretary Mansoor Khan called the video a “deliberate attack on social harmony” and condemned it as a “cheap political tactic” to spread communal hatred. He accused the BJP of using fake AI technology to manipulate public opinion and target Muslims.
Supriya Shrinate, Chairperson of Congress’s Social Media Department, criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its silence on the issue. “The BJP is spreading poison through such content. Will the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar just watch silently?” she asked in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi also slammed the video, calling it “vile” and “deeply Islamophobic”. He alleged that the video reflects the true face of Hindutva ideology, adding that for the BJP, “even the existence of Muslims is a problem.” He further said the party’s vision appears to be a ‘Muslim-free India’.
Wider Concerns
Many on social media and within civil society see the video as an attempt to incite fear and hatred, not just in Assam but across India. Critics argue that it is a blatant effort to communalise electoral politics using new-age technology like AI.
Despite the uproar, there has been no official response from the Election Commission at the time of publishing, raising questions about its role in curbing divisive and misleading political content.
