TMP Leader Decries Labeling Tribals as ‘Chinese’
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Synopsis
Agartala, April 10 (NationPress) TMP chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma condemned the derogatory labeling of the indigenous population of Tripura and the Northeast as 'Chinese', calling it a reflection of deep-seated prejudice.
Key Takeaways
- Debbarma highlights the discrimination faced by indigenous tribes.
- He emphasizes the need for justice against racial abuse.
- The case brings attention to ongoing racial insensitivity in society.
- The accused faces multiple legal issues beyond this case.
- Debbarma stands firm in defending his community’s dignity.
Agartala, April 10 (NationPress) The leader of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, expressed his sorrow on Thursday over individuals labeling the indigenous population of Tripura and the Northeast as “Chinese”.
On Thursday, the TMP chief attended the District and Sessions Court in West Tripura to provide his statement in a defamation lawsuit he initiated under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Debbarma submitted his statement before District Judge Subhashish Sharma Roy in West Tripura.
Later, while speaking to the media, he stated: “Referring to the indigenous tribal community of Tripura and myself as ‘Chinese’ is not only defamatory but also highlights the prejudiced mindset that some individuals continue to exhibit. This struggle is for the dignity of my community and the honor of my family. It is very regrettable that some people use terms like ‘Chinese dalal’ (broker) and ‘Chinese aunty’ to describe the indigenous population. I am obligated to defend my community.”
He further noted that such racial bias is not confined to mainland India but is also prevalent in the Northeast, where derogatory language continues to harm indigenous sentiments.
“We often discuss how students from the Northeast encounter racial discrimination in other regions of the country. Sadly, we observe this same conduct here as well,” Debbarma remarked, adding that to combat racial abuse, he has approached the court and anticipates justice.
The case pertains to a social media post made by an individual named Saikat Talapatra on July 17, 2023, which allegedly contained derogatory comments aimed at the indigenous community of Tripura and Debbarma, branding them as “Chinese.”
On October 14, 2023, Debbarma filed a formal complaint at the West Agartala Police Station in response to the social media post, which he deemed a direct affront to his community and his family’s legacy.
While Debbarma refrained from disclosing many details due to the ongoing legal proceedings, he underscored that the matter signifies a more profound societal issue.
The accused, Saikat Talapatra, was apprehended on October 6, 2023, in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district concerning multiple cases, and he was presented in court during Thursday’s hearing.
Special Public Prosecutor Raju Datta informed the media that Talapatra's Facebook post had significantly tarnished the reputation of both the Scheduled Tribe population of Tripura and the royal Manikya family.
“The chargesheet has been submitted following a police inquiry, and the trial commenced on Thursday with Debbarma serving as the first witness,” Datta stated.
This case has garnered considerable public interest in Tripura, emphasizing ongoing issues regarding racial insensitivity and the imperative to maintain the dignity of indigenous communities.
Additional cases are pending against Talapatra for defaming Chief Minister Manik Saha, his family, and numerous other political figures through his online YouTube and Facebook channels.
Talapatra, through his platforms, has also disparaged former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman, and many other politicians, including TMP supremo Debbarma.
Talapatra, previously a full-time teacher with the Tripura government, lost his position due to negligence in duty and had also been an anchor for a local television channel before 2020.
