Agartala, June 25:
Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma on Tuesday strongly criticized Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman for his recent remarks, which he described as derogatory and offensive to the state’s tribal community. Addressing the media, Debbarma accused Roy Barman of insulting indigenous people and demanded an immediate retraction of his “insensitive” statement.
“If he doesn’t withdraw his remarks, he will not be spared,” Debbarma warned, adding that the BJP has always upheld the dignity and rights of tribal communities—unlike previous governments.
Highlighting the BJP’s achievements since coming to power in 2018, Debbarma said that tribal recognition and empowerment have significantly improved under the current regime. “For 35 years, when Congress and CPIM ruled, tribals were ignored. It is the BJP that has given us our due respect,” he asserted.
He pointed to the elevation of tribal leaders like President Droupadi Murmu and Governor Jishnu Dev Varma as examples of the BJP’s commitment. Debbarma also mentioned the official recognition of tribal traditions like Hrisha, the naming of the Agartala airport after Maharaja Bir Bikram, and the awarding of Padma honors to several tribal figures as signs of real progress.
The minister further emphasized the expansion of education under BJP rule, citing the establishment of 21 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for tribal students.
“If the BJP did not respect tribals, I would not be a Cabinet Minister today,” he said. Taking a jab at CPIM, Debbarma challenged its leaders to contest from general constituencies, stating, “If they believe in public support, let them prove it.”
He concluded by stating that Tripura’s tribal communities have rejected both Congress and CPIM, and have placed their trust in the BJP for genuine representation and empowerment.
