Agartala, 01 Sep 2026: The Young Tripuri Association (YTA) has raised serious concerns over the reported change of surname from Dipankar Ghosh to Dipankar Reang, as reflected in a recently circulated affidavit.
According to the affidavit, Dipankar Ghosh, son of Mrigendra Narayan Ghosh and mother Dh ashi Rong Reang, is a resident of Dataram village, A.R. Para, under R.K. Pur Police Station, Gomati district, Tripura, PIN 799013. He has declared that he has changed his surname from “Ghosh” to “Reang” and will henceforth be known as Dipankar Reang.
The affidavit, identified as Affidavit No. 166/07/26, states that the declaration was sworn before a Notary Public on July 20, 2026.
The YTA has expressed concern that if the surname change is being used to claim or obtain Scheduled Tribe (ST) benefits, it could affect the rights of genuine ST beneficiaries. The organisation has stressed that a change of surname, by itself, does not confer ST status, which must be determined under the applicable constitutional and legal provisions.
YTA has called upon the competent authorities to conduct a fair, impartial and comprehensive verification of the individual’s actual community status and to examine whether any ST certificate, reservation benefit, educational opportunity, employment benefit or other ST-related facility has been claimed.
The organisation said it has already submitted a memorandum to the Minister for Tribal Welfare, Government of Tripura, seeking appropriate examination of the matter.
On Monday, YTA members also visited the Tripura Secretariat in connection with the issue and raised their concerns before the concerned authorities.
The YTA clarified that its objection is not against anyone’s lawful choice to change their name or surname, but concerns the alleged misuse of tribal identity or reservation provisions. The organisation said it would continue to pursue the matter through democratic and constitutional means.
