SDPI’s Alphonse Franco Questions Supreme Court Move, Seeks Urgent Intervention in Hate Speech Case

Alphonse Franco, National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), has strongly objected to the Supreme Court of India’s decision to transfer petitions related to alleged hate speeches by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to the Gauhati High Court. He said that amid the prevailing election atmosphere, direct intervention by the apex court was necessary.

In a statement, Franco alleged that during speeches delivered in the last week of January in Guwahati and Digboi, the Chief Minister made objectionable remarks against the Miya community. According to him, comments about paying Muslim rickshaw pullers less, suggesting the removal of Muslim names from the voters’ list, and describing the community as outsiders while questioning their voting rights run contrary to democratic values.

He further stated that a purported artificial intelligence-generated video circulated by the Bharatiya Janata Party and later deleted also falls within the ambit of hate propaganda. Such incidents, Franco said, are alarming for social harmony and the constitutional framework.

The SDPI leader noted that under Article 164 of the Constitution, a Chief Minister takes an oath to protect the equal rights of all citizens. Repeated allegations of divisive statements by a sitting Chief Minister, he argued, are inconsistent with constitutional responsibilities.

He also maintained that approaching the Supreme Court directly under Article 32 for the protection of fundamental rights is not unusual, particularly in sensitive and urgent matters. Referring the case to the High Court, he said, could lead to delays in the judicial process.

With the Assam Assembly elections approaching, the issue has emerged as a focal point of political debate. All eyes are now on the forthcoming proceedings before the Gauhati High Court.