Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday, 12 November 2026, stated that the law would take its own course in the controversy surrounding BJP MLA Tafajjal Hossain's alleged derogatory remarks about the food habits of the state's tribal communities, adding that the party was also examining the matter internally. Saha confirmed he had already consulted state BJP President Abhishek Debroy over the issue, which erupted after a video circulated on social media on Tuesday purportedly showing Hossain making objectionable comments about pork — a culturally significant food across tribal communities in the Northeast.

What the Chief Minister Said

Manik Saha told reporters: 'MLA Tafajjal Hossain has already expressed regret over his remarks. The matter should be looked at from this perspective. Such remarks should not be made.' The Chief Minister stopped short of announcing direct punitive action, framing the matter as one for the law and the party organisation to resolve. The remarks were allegedly made at Sonamura in Sepahijala district.

Key Reactions: TMP, CPI(M) and BJP's Own Ranks

Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder and supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma demanded a formal apology from Hossain, asserting that the food habits of indigenous communities were 'an integral part of their culture and traditions.' In a video message, Debbarma declared: 'Yes, we eat pork. This is our taste, our culture and our traditional food,' and called on tribal people not to remain silent when their dignity and identity were questioned. Reviewing Hossain's subsequent apology video, Debbarma described it as an attempt to divert attention from the original remarks rather than a genuine expression of remorse.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary and Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury condemned the alleged remarks as 'deeply objectionable and contrary to Tripura's tradition of communal harmony.' He urged Chief Minister Saha to take appropriate action, asserting that 'political affiliation should not shield anyone from accountability,' and called on BJP leaders to publicly distance themselves from Hossain's comments.

Notably, even within the ruling alliance, BJP state General Secretary Bipin Debbarma criticised Hossain for his 'unwarranted remarks' — a signal of internal discomfort at a politically delicate moment.

Demands for Resignation and Equal Accountability

The Tipra Women's Federation (TWF), the women's wing of the TMP, escalated demands on Thursday, calling for Hossain's resignation and 'exemplary punishment' for his alleged remarks. The TWF drew a direct parallel with the action taken by the Tripura government against Delhi-based social media influencer Amir Shokeen, who had earlier faced legal proceedings for alleged racial slurs targeting a tribal youth from Tripura. The TWF argued that the same standard of accountability must apply to Hossain — an elected representative who had, in the TWF's view, committed a comparable offence.

Several tribal organisations affiliated with the TMP, as well as the CPI(M), lodged complaints at multiple police stations across Agartala, demanding legal action against Hossain, 52.

MLA's Regret and His Political Background

On Wednesday, Hossain issued a video statement expressing regret, saying: 'If any of my remarks had hurt my tribal brothers and sisters, I am sincerely sorry.' He denied any intention to hurt anyone and accused the CPI(M) of distorting his statement and running a 'politically motivated misinformation campaign.' Hossain was first elected to the Tripura Legislative Assembly from the Boxanagar constituency in Sepahijala district in the 2023 Assembly elections. The BJP had previously served him a show-cause notice in October 2024 for making adverse comments against former Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and former Union Minister Pratima Bhoumik.

Wider Context: Political Sensitivities and Northeast's Pork Economy

The controversy has emerged at a particularly sensitive juncture. The BJP and TMP, despite contesting against each other in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections held in April, recently joined hands to form the council's Executive Committee. Any fracture in this alliance over the remarks could have direct governance consequences for the tribal areas. This episode also echoes a broader pattern of incidents involving alleged derogatory comments targeting people from the Northeast — Debbarma himself drew a parallel with the Amir Shokeen controversy. Pork holds deep cultural significance across all eight northeastern states, with the region's annual pork trade estimated at between ₹8,000 crore and ₹10,000 crore, according to available trade data, with Assam being the largest supplier.

How the state government and the BJP's central leadership respond in the coming days will be closely watched — both for its legal implications and for its signal to the tribal electorate that forms a critical vote bloc in Tripura.