In Assam politics, there has been a deep debate over an AI-related video recently. In fact, the Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shared it with its official X (X) handle, after which opposition parties and social organizations reacted strongly. The video shows how the future of Assam can change if the BJP is not in power. In the AI video, pictures such as the supremacy of the Muslim population, alleged encroachment in public places and linking opposition leaders with Pakistan have been carved in this video.
Opposition parties allege that this material is an attempt to religious polarization and this can cause an atmosphere of hate in the society. In this context, Congress leaders demanded intervention from the Election Commission and said that the BJP is spreading poison. At the same time, Asaduddin Owaisi, head of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), has directly attacked the BJP’s ideology, calling this video “condemnable and disgusting”.
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But the question is, why did the BJP take such a step? The answer is hidden in Assam’s complex demographic reality. Illegal infiltration in Assam and rapidly changing population balance have been expressed in Assam for decades. Statistics suggest that the proportion of Muslim population in the border districts has increased continuously. This change is being seen as a challenge for local identity and culture. In such a situation, the BJP says that it is committed to the identity of Assam, protecting the land and resources.
Certainly it is necessary to maintain balance in this debate. It is easy for the BJP to argue that it is only talking about protecting Assam’s natural nature and identity, but the way to present it has become controversial. The opposition is considering it as a hate, while the BJP calls it a “warning of reality” among its supporters.
By the way, polarization politics in the election season is not new in India. Almost all the parties adopt such strategies to help their respective vote banks. The Congress has also been accused of appeasement politics in the past. On the same lines, the BJP has tried to convey the message through this video that Assam will be unsafe without it and the cultural identity of the state could be in danger.
But along with politics, social responsibility is equally important. It is necessary that no political party creates permanent division in the society. Maintaining mutual harmony should be the biggest priority in multi-religious and multi-cultural state like Assam. Whatever party comes to power, it will be expected to focus on issues like development, employment, education and health, not just the sentiments of the people on the basis of religious identity.
Nevertheless, it is true that such discussions become much faster just before the elections. The geography of Assam, the border situation and historical experience makes it even more sensitive. The way the BJP introduced a future imagination using AI technology shows that technology has now become an important part of election campaigns. But at the same time, the question also arises whether artificial intelligence in democracy should be used to mislead society or create fear?
If seen, one thing is clear from this whole incident – the demographic balance of Assam is a matter of real concern and a party like BJP could not turn eyes. But what should be the way to express this concern, this is the real criterion of democratic politics. Any issue should be raised while maintaining harmony and co-existence.
However, it is our collective responsibility to decide the direction of politics. Will we promote hate and fear by our opinion, or will we strengthen the path of development and unity? The same question stands in front of the people of Assam and the whole country today.