With preparations underway for the November 17 Urban Local Body elections in Tripura, BJP MLA from Boxanagar, Taffajal Hossein, has landed in controversy over an alleged derogatory remark against the indigenous Tiprasa community during an election campaign in Sonamura Nagar Panchayat under Sepahijala district.
A video purportedly showing the legislator making the controversial remarks has gone viral on social media, triggering widespread condemnation from tribal organisations and political leaders across the state. A police complaint has also been lodged against him.
In the purported video, Hossein is allegedly heard making objectionable comments about the food habits and traditional lifestyle of members of the Janajati community while criticising the Tipra Motha Party. His remarks, suggesting that members of the tribal community sleep with pigs, rear them and consume pork, have drawn sharp criticism, with several quarters describing them as insulting and an attack on tribal identity and culture.
Following the controversy, Hossein issued an apology, expressing regret if his remarks had unintentionally hurt the sentiments of the indigenous community. He, however, accused the CPI(M) of taking his speech out of context and circulating edited portions of it to manufacture a political controversy.
The BJP legislator claimed that his speech was aimed at countering what he described as CPI(M)’s propaganda that the BJP was anti-Muslim and that Muslims could not support or join the party. He said he was attempting to explain to Muslim voters that religious beliefs should not determine an individual’s political affiliations.
Hossein denied any intention to insult the Janajati community and pointed out that the BJP and Tipra Motha are alliance partners in the NDA government in Tripura.
“I have never intended to hurt or disrespect my Janajati brothers and sisters. My statement was made solely to counter the misinformation being spread by the CPI(M) and to explain the issue to my Muslim brothers,” he said.
Expressing regret, the MLA added that if his remarks had hurt anyone in the tribal community, he sincerely apologised, reiterating that he respected all communities and had never intended to hurt their sentiments.
The controversy has drawn a strong reaction from Tipra Motha MLA Paul Dangshu, who shared the video on Facebook and condemned the alleged remarks. Describing them as a disgraceful display of bigotry and arrogance, Dangshu said the comments were offensive not only because of the words used but also because of the condescending tone and mockery directed at the indigenous community.
He alleged that ridiculing the culture, traditional livelihoods and identity of an entire community for electoral gains was dehumanising and malicious. Calling for an immediate and unconditional public apology, he maintained that political campaigning could never justify treating an entire community with contempt.
Tipra Motha founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma also strongly criticised the alleged remarks and demanded an apology from the BJP legislator. Drawing a comparison with remarks allegedly made by YouTuber Amir Shokeen, Pradyot said attitudes towards the Tiprasa community remained unchanged irrespective of which party was in power.
“Our eating habits don’t change with who is in power,” he said, insisting that the MLA should apologise for his remarks and for allegedly inciting communal hatred. He also questioned the moral authority of those who, according to him, smuggle cows to Bangladesh while attempting to dictate the food habits of people in Tripura.
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury also condemned the alleged remarks, describing them as racist, derogatory and deeply offensive to the Tiprasa community. Questioning the BJP and NDA leadership over the issue, he asked whether they stood with the indigenous people or supported the legislator accused of making the objectionable comments.
Chaudhury warned against normalising racism and discrimination in the state and said Tripura should not be allowed to descend into a situation similar to Manipur.
Meanwhile, the Tribal Youth Federation (TYF), an organisation associated with the Left Front, lodged a formal complaint against Hossein at West Agartala Police Station, seeking a prompt, impartial and lawful investigation.
In its complaint, the organisation urged the police to initiate appropriate preventive and legal measures to safeguard peace, communal harmony and the dignity of the Tiprasa community.
Amid mounting criticism, BJP State General Secretary Bipin Debbarma also expressed reservations about the alleged remarks. He said he had not yet examined the viral video properly and was unsure whether the MLA had actually made the comments attributed to him.
“I don’t think this statement is correct or that he made such a statement. Every society has its own food habits and cultural traditions. That does not mean we should make such remarks about them. In my opinion, this is not a relevant issue,” Debbarma said.
He added that the matter would be brought to the attention of BJP State President Abhishek Debroy and Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha. Emphasising the importance of respecting cultural diversity, he said every community, whether Bengali or tribal, had its own distinct identity and traditions that must be respected.
