Addressing a gathering at Agartala Town Hall, convened to observe the 79th Janashiksha Diwas and the 75th foundation day of Ganamukti Parishad (GMP) today, CPI-M state secretary and GMP leader Jitendra Chaudhury underscored the significance of the Janasiksha Samiti’s ‘Janashiksha Andolan’ while simultaneously criticizing the historical exploitation of the tribal population and others during the rule of the Manikya dynasty in Tripura.
Chaudhury recounted a historical narrative, stating, “Enthusiastic young students, including leaders like Dasaratha Deb, Sudhanwa Debbarma, Hemanta Debbarma, Dinesh Debbarma, Bidya Deb Barma, worked to establish 488 schools within a year throughout the state.” He emphasized that during the monarchy’s reign, education was concentrated in five towns, leaving vast areas devoid of educational opportunities.
Chaudhury expressed concern about ongoing attempts to distort history and mislead indigenous people in the state. He pointed to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the perceived adversaries, attributing significant hardships to their concept of religious nationalism.
As these allegations stir debate, the situation in Tripura remains tense, with calls for a thorough examination of the reported targeting of the tribal community and a broader reevaluation of policies impacting their well-being. The political landscape in the region continues to evolve, with stakeholders closely monitoring developments.
Former Chief Minister and CPI-M politburo member Manik Sarkar raised serious allegations on Wednesday, claiming that the tribal community in Tripura is facing targeted measures under the rule of the BJP-led coalition government and TIPRA Motha in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).
Sarkar’s concerns were voiced following the recent delisting rally organized by the Janajati Suraksha Manch (JSM) at Agartala Swami Vivekananda Ground. Sarkar called for a decisive counter-offensive against the ideologies propagated by JSM.
The JSM, in a move that added further complexity to the tribal discourse, recently advocated for the creation of ‘Greater Tiptaland.’ Sarkar highlighted that some JSM leaders invoked Article 341 and Article 342 of the Indian Constitution to justify their demand for removing Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for converted tribals. However, Sarkar clarified that these constitutional articles do not explicitly mention reservations based on religion, and the allocation of reservations depends on discussions between the President of India and the concerned state government.
Expressing deep concern, Sarkar declared, “Tribals in Tripura are being targeted on various occasions through different forms under the rule of this fascistic BJP government.” He urged for an intensified movement against the BJP both within the state and across the country.
