Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has strongly criticized Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a video posted on the Assam BJP's official X (formerly Twitter) handle. The video depicts Sarma symbolically shooting at Muslims at point-blank range, accompanied by captions such as "point blank shoot". This has ignited a wave of condemnation from opposition leaders, journalists, and activists, who view it as an escalation of a hate campaign against Bengali-origin Muslims.

The controversial video blends what appears to be actual footage of Sarma handling rifles with AI-generated imagery depicting Muslims as targets. Throughout the clip, text flashes phrases like "foreigner free Assam," "No mercy," "Why did you not go to Pakistan?" and "There is no forgiveness to Bangladeshis".

Owaisi has accused Sarma of deliberately spreading hatred against Muslims and disrespecting the community. He questioned whether such actions align with the ruling party's vision of an inclusive India striving for development by 2047, further alleging that Sarma's comments promote discrimination and marginalization. In response to Sarma's remarks about Muslim auto drivers, Owaisi sarcastically offered him "Rs 2," referencing comments made by Sarma regarding rickshaw fares and urging people to "trouble" the "Miya people".

The video has been met with fierce criticism from various quarters. Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose called the video "shameful" and demanded the immediate arrest of its creators. Journalist Rana Ayyub highlighted what she sees as hypocrisy, pointing out the contrast between the video and Prime Minister Modi's outreach to Muslim-majority countries. Journalist M Reyaz criticized the ruling party for openly creating and sharing videos that appear to endorse violence against the "Miya" community.

Sarma has faced increasing criticism in recent weeks for what many describe as hateful and divisive rhetoric. At a recent event, he stated his intention to "make the Miya people suffer" during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. His statements and actions have drawn sharp condemnation from rights activists, opposition leaders, and Muslim community leaders who believe he is deliberately marginalizing and inciting hatred against Muslims in Assam. Bengali-origin Muslims in Assam are a socio-economically marginalized community who are often labeled as "outsiders" or "illegal immigrants".