BJP Removes Assam Social Media Co-Convenor Ron Vikash Gaurav Over Offensive AI Video Targeting Himanta Biswa Sarma

In a significant disciplinary move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday removed Ron Vikash Gaurav from his position as Assam BJP’s social media co-convenor after determining that he was responsible for uploading a controversial Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated video from the party’s official social media handle.

According to party sources, the video — posted on February 7 and later deleted amid mounting political backlash — contained imagery depicting Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in a manner that opposition leaders described as inflammatory and communally provocative.

Controversial AI Video Triggered Immediate Political Uproar

The video was shared from the Assam BJP’s official account on X (formerly Twitter). As per a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Assam Pradesh congress Committee (APCC), the content allegedly portrayed the Chief Minister in visuals suggesting he was pointing a firearm toward members of a minority community, accompanied by the caption “point-blank shot.”

Congress MLAs Sibamoni Bora and Diganta Barman lodged a complaint at the Dispur Police Station, describing the material as “highly provocative and communal.” The complaint stated that the video carried text references such as “foreigner free Assam” and “Why did you not go to Pakistan?”, which they argued had the potential to disturb public order and disrupt communal harmony.

The FIR further alleged that the visuals metaphorically depicted the Chief Minister targeting individuals represented as members of the Muslim community, thereby raising concerns over hate speech and incitement.

BJP Deletes Video, Identifies Responsible Party Functionary

As criticism intensified from opposition parties and civil society voices, the BJP promptly removed the video from its official account. Following an internal review, the party identified Ron Vikash Gaurav as the individual responsible for uploading the content.

In response, the BJP relieved Gaurav of his organisational responsibilities as social media co-convenor. Party insiders indicated that the action was taken to contain reputational damage and signal accountability within the party’s digital communications structure.

Legal and Political Fallout Intensifies

The controversy has since expanded beyond Assam, with multiple complaints and legal actions initiated in different jurisdictions. The APCC’s FIR was among the first, but additional complaints were reportedly filed as the matter gained national attention.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi also filed a police complaint in Hyderabad against Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in connection with the deleted video. Owaisi described the content as “genocidal hate speech” and called for criminal proceedings.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarma has publicly denied having prior knowledge of the video’s creation or posting. He has maintained that he stands by his political positions while distancing himself from the controversial content.

In a parallel development, Sarma has initiated a Rs 500-crore defamation suit against certain opposition Congress legislators over unrelated allegations, further intensifying the political standoff.

AI-Generated Content and Political Accountability

The incident has reignited debate over the responsible use of AI-generated content in political communication. With digital campaigns increasingly relying on artificial intelligence tools, experts have warned about the risks of misinformation, manipulated imagery, and communal polarization.

Legal observers note that cases involving AI-generated political content present complex challenges, particularly when determining intent, authorship, and accountability. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to examine both the content’s origin and its potential impact on public peace.

The episode underscores the growing scrutiny of political parties’ social media operations and the heightened sensitivity surrounding communal narratives in India’s political landscape.