Are Assam Youth Congress social media handles really run from Saudi Arabia?
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Synopsis
In a startling claim, Assam's CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleges that the Youth Congress's social media activities are being orchestrated from Saudi Arabia, raising serious concerns about foreign influence as the state approaches Assembly elections. Is this a political tactic or a genuine security threat?
Key Takeaways
- CM Sarma's allegations raise questions about foreign influence in local politics.
- 5,000 new social media accounts targeting Assam have been activated.
- A forensic audit linked 2,092 accounts to foreign entities.
- Concerns about extremist ideologies being propagated online.
- National security implications must be taken seriously.
Guwahati, June 28 (NationPress) Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated on Saturday that the digital platforms of the state's Youth Congress are being operated from Saudi Arabia. Speaking to journalists, he remarked, "The Congress party has considerable foreign influence over their social media presence. Individuals from Bangladesh and Pakistan have been actively supporting the Congress through posts. Additionally, the Youth Congress's social media accounts are managed from Saudi Arabia."
He emphasized that Congress leaders are not questioned regarding foreign interference in their online activities. "I have observed that no media representative poses these inquiries to the Congress officials," he continued.
Previously, on Friday, CM Sarma raised an alarm about a purported coordinated increase in Islamic fundamentalist social media activity aimed at Assam ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections.
The Chief Minister asserted that approximately 5,000 social media accounts have been recently launched with a specific focus on Assam, with no engagement in national issues. "These accounts do not address wider national topics; they exclusively target Assam and the Congress party there. This is a significant concern," he conveyed, urging security agencies and citizens to interpret this development as a national security matter.
He also highlighted troubling narratives being circulated internationally, such as the idea that "if you sever the chicken neck, Assam will achieve independence or be captured," warning that such discourse indicates Assam is part of an "unfinished agenda" for particular foreign entities.
As per CM Sarma, a forensic investigation conducted by the Assam government into newly activated Facebook accounts uncovered that 2,092 of them had direct international connections. Among these, 700 accounts were linked to Bangladesh, 350 to Pakistan, over 500 to the Middle East, and smaller counts from nations like Afghanistan, Indonesia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and even the United States and Australia.
There were also 292 accounts with unidentified locations. "These accounts predominantly disseminate extremist ideologies," CM Sarma stated.
"Their content includes calls for the destruction of Israel and the promotion of religious duties such as mandatory Umrah visits. Most of them exclusively like or follow pages related to the Assam Congress, which raises significant concerns," he noted.
He clarified that while these accounts are associated with a specific religious group, the issue is not communal; rather, it arises from their alleged connections to hardline factions.
The Chief Minister reiterated the necessity of taking the presence of such elements in Assam seriously, especially prior to the elections. "This transcends being merely an electoral issue - it poses a national security challenge," he asserted.
Point of View
It is crucial to approach this situation with a balanced perspective. While the allegations raised by CM Sarma warrant thorough investigation, it is essential to distinguish between legitimate political discourse and unfounded claims of foreign interference. The integrity of our democratic processes must always remain a priority.
NationPress
28/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Sarma claim about the Youth Congress?
CM Sarma claimed that the social media handles of the Youth Congress are being operated from Saudi Arabia and are influenced by foreign entities.
How many social media accounts are reportedly linked to foreign countries?
A forensic audit revealed that 2,092 social media accounts had direct foreign connections, with significant numbers traced back to Bangladesh and Pakistan.
What did CM Sarma say about the content of these accounts?
He stated that the accounts primarily propagate extremist ideologies and focus solely on Assam-related issues.
Is this issue related to national security?
Yes, CM Sarma emphasized that the presence of foreign-linked accounts targeting Assam is a national security concern.
What should be done in response to these claims?
It is important for security agencies to investigate these allegations thoroughly and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
