Patna – As the political temperature rises in Bihar ahead of the Assembly polls slated for November 6 and November 11, 2025, authorities have registered First Information Reports (FIRs) against the social media handles of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for allegedly engaging in hate speech and "hate mongering". The move comes amid growing concerns over the increasingly vitriolic nature of political discourse online and its potential to incite violence or unrest.
The FIRs were filed following complaints lodged with the Election Commission of India (ECI), which has been closely monitoring social media activity to ensure compliance with the Model Code of Conduct. The complaints accused the parties' social media teams of disseminating inflammatory content, spreading misinformation, and making disparaging remarks against opposing candidates and communities.
Specific details regarding the alleged offenses have not been released by authorities, but sources indicate that the FIRs relate to posts and videos circulated on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. These posts reportedly targeted specific religious and caste groups, used derogatory language, and promoted divisive narratives.
The registration of FIRs has sparked a political storm in Bihar, with leaders from the accused parties condemning the action and accusing their rivals of orchestrating a smear campaign. A BJP spokesperson dismissed the allegations as "baseless" and claimed that the FIRs were an attempt to silence dissenting voices. Similarly, a Congress leader accused the ruling party of using state machinery to intimidate the opposition. The RJD has also issued a statement denying any involvement in hate mongering and calling for an impartial investigation.
The ECI has defended its decision to order the registration of FIRs, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections. A senior ECI official stated that the commission would take strict action against any individual or party found guilty of violating the Model Code of Conduct or engaging in activities that could disrupt the electoral process.
This development comes in the wake of growing concerns about the use of social media to spread disinformation and incite violence during elections. Political analysts have warned that the unchecked spread of hate speech online could have a detrimental impact on the democratic process, leading to polarization, social unrest, and even electoral violence.
The Bihar Assembly elections are being closely watched as a key test of strength for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Mahagathbandhan. The NDA, comprising the BJP and Janata Dal (United), is seeking to retain power, while the Mahagathbandhan, which includes the RJD and Congress, is hoping to unseat the incumbent government.
In related news, Bengal minister Firhad Hakim has strongly opposed any attempt to link voter roll revision with the CAA. He has also warned the BJP and Election Commission against imposing CAA together, threatening to "break their legs".
