Agartala, June 25:
A political row erupted in Tripura on Wednesday as a large group of activists affiliated with the BJP’s tribal fronts staged a protest outside Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman’s government quarters in Agartala. The demonstrators demanded an immediate apology for Barman’s “provocative and insulting” remarks directed at the indigenous communities of the state.
The protest follows controversial comments made by Barman during a Congress tribal conference at the Ambassa Town Hall on Tuesday. His remarks, widely perceived as offensive by BJP’s Janajati Morcha, quickly triggered outrage among the tribal sections of the ruling party.
By Wednesday afternoon, the protest had intensified. A section of the crowd forcefully breached the main gate of the old MLA hostel where Barman resides. In the ensuing chaos, some furniture, including chairs, was reportedly vandalized.
Security forces and police, who were already deployed at the location, acted promptly to contain the situation and restore order. Senior officials at the scene confirmed that the protest was eventually brought under control and no major injuries were reported.
Speaking to reporters, a senior tribal leader from the BJP condemned Barman’s statement, claiming it had hurt the sentiments of the entire indigenous population of Tripura, beyond political affiliations. “This is not just an attack on BJP supporters—it’s an insult to all tribal people,” the leader said.
Protesters continued to demand a public apology from the Congress MLA and warned of further agitation if their demand was not met.
The incident marks another flashpoint in Tripura’s already tense political climate, placing indigenous rights and political rhetoric at the center of a growing controversy.
