Amra Bangali seeks action against Tripura’s royal scion Pradyot

Agartala: Amra Bangali, a leading socio-political organisation of Tripura’s non-tribal community, has called for action against Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, the founder of Tipra Motha and ally of the ruling BJP, accusing him of inciting ethnic tensions.This response came shortly after Debbarman proclaimed himself the owner of Agartala, suggesting that everyone else is merely a tenant, during a protest advocating for tribal rights in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on Tuesday. He had urged tribal groups across the northeast to unite in the fight for their rights.Amra Bangali’s state secretary Gauranga Rudra Pal condemned Debbarman, saying he is trying to stir up sentiments akin to the riots of the 1980s. He said, “Pradyot Kishore is intentionally fostering a divisive atmosphere between tribes and non-tribes for his own benefit, and the govt must address this urgently.”He issued a warning that if communal unrest arise, the blame will rest squarely on Debbarman and his supporters in both Tripura and Delhi. He criticised Debbarman for masking his self-serving agenda under the pretext of advocating for tribal development, claiming that his recent comments have heightened tensions between communities.Rudra Pal questioned the involvement of BJP MP Kriti Singh in the Delhi rally, labelling it as part of a hate-driven agenda, targeting Tripura’s Bengali community. He challenged the BJP leadership’s silence regarding such inflammatory remarks made by Debbarman, asking why they haven’t condemned his statements.The controversy ignited when Debbarman claimed ownership over places like Teliamura, Kanchanpur, and Agartala, asserting his commitment to intensifying the fight for tribal rights. His statements quickly gained traction, receiving both support from some and backlash as they were deemed hate speech by others.Political commentators believe that Debbarman’s newfound emphasis on indigenous land claims could influence discussions on identity and governance in Tripura, though they warn that unchecked aggressive rhetoric may threaten the state’s peace and stability.His comments have sparked intense reactions on social media from both tribal and non-tribal members, highlighting the concern over BJP’s inaction in response to his provocative statements.Debbarman’s candid remarks have unsettled not only the BJP-led govt but also the local intellectual community among tribal circles. Some critics accuse him of exploiting both his royal lineage and the emotional ties of the Tiprasa people for his personal agenda, especially with the upcoming ADC elections on the horizon.For the past seven and a half years, Debbarman has criticised BJP for their failure to deliver meaningful progress for Tripura’s tribal communities. Allegedly, some BJP leaders in the state have been indirectly empowering Debbarman's rhetoric to undermine chief minister Manik Saha.The CPM, in opposition, has criticised Pradyot’s recent remarks, emphasising that the mass recruitment policies implemented by the Left Front govt since 1978 have greatly benefited tribal youth.They highlight the significant advancements in education, rubber plantations, housing, healthcare, and infrastructure in both rural and hilly areas, all made possible through the governance of the Left in the state, alongside Congress at the national level.They also underscore that during the period of Congress rule from 1947 to 1977 and throughout the Left Front era, numerous key institutions such as schools, colleges, NIT, and medical and engineering colleges, along with paramedical and nursing institutes, were established.This provided vital opportunities for tribal youth to thrive. Furthermore, they note that the creation of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) was a product of strong political support from both Delhi and Tripura, driven by the efforts of leaders from both Congress and the Left.CPI-M State Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Jitendra Chaudhry, has urged Debbarman to consider his own family legacy. He reminded him that his parents, Maharaja Kirit Bikram Kishore and Maharani Bibhu Kumari Devi, were direct beneficiaries of Congress-led governance, having served as Members of Parliament and ministers themselves