Agartala, Nov 11: Former TIPRA Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Debbarma has demanded an unconditional public apology from BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain over his alleged derogatory remarks on the food habits and cultural identity of Tripura’s indigenous communities.
Reacting to the controversy surrounding comments allegedly made by the Boxanagar legislator at an election campaign meeting, Debbarma said the issue went beyond political differences and concerned the dignity, heritage and collective identity of the state’s tribal population.
In a video message, the former royal scion said that although he had withdrawn from active electoral politics, he would continue to raise his voice whenever the rights, identity and dignity of indigenous people were challenged.
He said food habits were closely connected with a community’s history, traditions and cultural practices, and nobody had the right to ridicule an entire community over its dietary preferences.
Drawing a parallel with the recent controversy involving social media content creator Amir Shokeen, who faced criticism and legal action over allegedly offensive remarks against people from Tripura and the Northeast, Debbarma said the latest incident was particularly concerning as the alleged comments had come from an elected public representative.
He questioned whether such statements would be acceptable within the legislator’s own political party and said public representatives should exercise restraint while making statements that could hurt the sentiments of any community.
Demanding accountability, Debbarma urged Hossain to tender an unconditional apology to the people of Tripura for the alleged remarks against indigenous food culture and traditions.
He said elected representatives had a responsibility to promote social harmony, mutual respect and cultural diversity rather than make statements that could create divisions among communities.
Debbarma also appealed to members of the tribal community not to remain silent whenever their identity, customs and cultural practices were ridiculed.
Protecting indigenous heritage required collective efforts, and people should raise their voices against attempts to undermine their cultural identity, he said.
Reiterating that questions of identity and self-respect could never be compromised, Debbarma called upon people across communities to stand together in defending Tripura’s cultural diversity and heritage.
The controversy has surfaced ahead of the November 27 urban local body elections in the state.
