Himanta Sarma accuses Congress of using doctored video to target armed forces

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday accused the Congress leadership of authorising the circulation of a doctored video targeting the armed forces, alleging that the clip was being used to malign the military and generate political mileage. In a post on X, Sarma described the alleged circulation of the video as a "Classic Cong playbook" and said those responsible should face legal action. "A doctored video, already debunked, pushed to malign our armed forces and shame the nation for cheap political gain," he wrote. Classic Cong playbook. A doctored video, already debunked, pushed to malign our armed forces and shame the nation for cheap political gain.

This wasn't a slip. It was sanctioned by their High Command Those behind it must face the full force of the law. -- Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 26, 2026 "This wasn't a slip. It was sanctioned by their High Command," Sarma alleged, adding that those behind the video must "face the full force of the law". The remarks followed a post by Congress leader Ritu Choudhary, who shared claims concerning Lieutenant General Girish Kalia, General Officer Commanding of the Army's Spear Corps, and the situation along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. शर्मनाक! लेफ्टिनेंट जनरल गिरीश कालिया (GOC, स्पीयर कॉर्प्स) का कहना है कि चीन ने अरुणाचल प्रदेश में असाफिला, लोंगजू और तक्सिंग सर्कल पर कब्ज़ा कर लिया है। रसद (सप्लाई) की मांग के बावजूद, खबरें हैं कि सेना को चीन के बजाय 'जेन Z' के खिलाफ तैनात किया जा रहा है। https://t.co/334oUvkIVw -- Ritu Choudhary (@RituChoudhryINC)

October 26, 2026 The post alleged that China had occupied areas including Asaphila, Longju and the Taksing circle, and questioned the reported deployment of the Army against Gen Z protesters instead of addressing the border situation. Sarma characterised the video as doctored and said it had already been debunked. However, the specific evidence establishing the alleged manipulation, the circumstances of the video's circulation and any response from the Congress leadership to his accusations were not immediately available. The controversy comes amid heightened political exchanges between the BJP and the Congress over national security and the use of social media to circulate claims about the armed forces.

Sarma has also been engaged in a separate war of words with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. On Monday, the Assam chief minister criticised Kharge over his remarks concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's late father and recalled the Congress leader's earlier criticism of the Bharat Ratna awarded to Assamese cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika. In that exchange, Sarma alleged that Congress leaders showed insufficient respect for Indian culture, further escalating the confrontation between the two parties.