The Jatiya Yuva Bahini, the youth wing of Raijor Dal, has sought registration of an FIR against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his recent remarks mentioning banned ULFA (Independent) chief Paresh Baruah, alleging that the statement could project a proscribed militant leader in a favourable manner.
The complaint was submitted at Dispur Police Station on July 11, seeking a fair and independent probe into the chief minister’s remarks made during a press conference over the controversy surrounding a mural of late singer Zubeen Garg at Ganeshguri.
The organisation alleged that Sarma’s statement suggesting that those wanting to depict a “revolutionary” could paint Paresh Baruah instead of Che Guevara had serious legal and public implications, as ULFA (Independent) remains a banned outfit under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.
The youth wing claimed that remarks from the state’s highest executive authority could create confusion among the public and potentially lend legitimacy to the leader of a banned militant organisation. It argued that legal provisions should apply equally to everyone, pointing out that ordinary citizens have faced action over alleged expressions of support for ULFA leaders through social media posts, songs, poems and photographs.
Maintaining that no individual is above the law, the organisation urged police to investigate whether the remarks attracted provisions under the UAPA, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, or any other applicable legislation.
The complaint also requested authorities to preserve the complete audio-video recording and transcript of the press conference and take appropriate action if any cognisable offence was established.
The representation was signed by Jatiya Yuva Bahini president Gyanashree Bora, working president Saurav Bora and information and publicity secretary Ankuman Bordoloi.
The organisation said the complaint was filed to safeguard the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the country while ensuring equal application of the law.
There was no immediate response from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma or the Assam government regarding the complaint.
