Introduction

A political controversy has erupted after the Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) released an AI-generated video warning voters of a “Muslim-majority Assam” if the party were not in power. The video has been strongly criticized by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi, who described it as genocidal and defamatory, alleging that it reflects the BJP’s vision of a “Muslim-mukt Bharat.”

Background

The video, posted on BJP Assam Pradesh’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), is titled “Assam without BJP”. It depicts a scenario where Assam turns Muslim-majority, featuring visuals of men in skull caps, women in burqas, alleged illegal immigrants, and a claim that “90% of the population” would be Muslim. It ends with the cautionary line: “Choose your vote carefully.”

Key Developments

• Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the video as “disgusting” and a reflection of “repulsive Hindutva ideology.”

• He accused the BJP of portraying Muslims as a problem and aiming for a “Muslim-free India.”

• BJP leaders defended the video as highlighting demographic threats from illegal immigrants in certain districts.

• Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika argued that critics were misrepresenting the message, insisting the issue was illegal immigration, not religion.

Issues

• The video raises concerns about hate speech, stereotyping, and depicting an entire community as a threat.

• Ethical questions about the use of AI in political propaganda and misinformation.

• Potential violation of election codes and laws relating to communal harmony.

• Growing trend of communal and demographic narratives shaping political campaigns in Assam.

Current Status

The video has drawn backlash from opposition parties, with Congress urging the Election Commission to intervene. AIMIM and other political voices have framed the issue as an attack on Indian Muslims, while BJP insists it is merely raising concerns about illegal immigration and demographic changes. The debate has now entered national discourse, with focus on both communal politics and the use of AI in election propaganda.

Conclusion

The Assam BJP’s AI video and Owaisi’s sharp rebuttal have intensified debates around communal politics, demographic anxieties, and the ethics of AI-driven propaganda. With the 2026 Assam Assembly elections approaching, the controversy highlights how technology is being weaponized in political narratives, raising urgent questions about free speech, hate speech, and electoral accountability.