Agartala, Aug 19 – Tipra Motha Party founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Monday called upon the people of Tripura to draw inspiration from Maharaja Bir Bikram’s ideals to restore the state’s past glory.
Speaking at a two-day photo exhibition and release of special postal covers dedicated to the Maharaja at Manikya Enclave, organised by the INTACH Tripura chapter, Debbarman stressed the need to rise above political and social divisions. “Today, we are divided into Debbarman, Jamatia, Reangs, Kalais, tribal, non-tribal, Bengalis, Hindus and many more identities. This is why we are weak. People from outside dictate our terms because we lack the courage to confront them and decide what is right for us,” he said.
Urging people to avoid letting politics divide families and communities, he pointed to Nagaland as an example, where political differences exist but people unite during festivals. Referring to the event, he welcomed his cousin Pratik Debbarman’s presence and dismissed any political interpretation, saying, “He is part of the family.”
Recalling the Maharaja’s vision, Debbarman said Bir Bikram was honoured by the American President and respected by Mahatma Gandhi, who twice sought his help—once for food grains during Bengal’s famine and again for shelter to riot victims. The Maharaja also extended support to Rabindranath Tagore in his hour of need.
He lamented the monarch’s untimely death at 39, noting that Tripura had already drafted an independent constitution under his guidance even before India’s Constitution was framed. “The Maharaja voluntarily delegated his powers to usher in democracy,” he added.
Highlighting Tripura’s proud history, he said the state withstood repeated attempts of conquest by the Mughals and British before voluntarily merging with India, reflecting the resilience of its people.
