The Women’s Wing of the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a key ally of the ruling BJP in Tripura, staged a massive protest on Wednesday against the state government’s reported plan to privatize the historic Pushpabanta Palace by converting it into a five-star hotel.
The demonstration, organized by the Tripura Women Federation, highlighted widespread opposition to the alleged move. Protesters voiced concerns that handing over the 107-year-old palace to a private group for commercial purposes would erode the state’s cultural heritage and history.
Senior TMP leader and Chairman of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), Jagadhish Debbarma, emphasized the palace’s historical and cultural significance. “Pushpabanta Palace is not just a structure; it is a treasure of the people of Tripura, representing our history and traditions. While we welcome development and tourism growth, it should not come at the cost of our heritage,” Debbarma said during the protest in Agartala.
He further stated, “We will continue our protests until the government withdraws its plans. This iconic property must remain under public ownership.”
Responding to the mounting criticism, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury clarified that no final decision had been made to transfer the palace to any private entity. They assured that if privatization occurs, the palace’s architectural integrity would be preserved.
The opposition Congress also strongly opposed the proposed privatization. Congress Spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty reminded citizens of the palace’s historical importance. “This is where Rabindranath Tagore stayed during his visit to Tripura in 1926 and composed numerous songs on its veranda. It also hosted the celebration of his 80th birthday in 1941 by the then king, Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur,” he said.
The Pushpabanta Palace, built in 1917 by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Debbarma Bahadur, served as the Raj Bhavan until 2018. In 1949, Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi handed over the palace to the state government post-Independence. In 2022, President Droupadi Murmu laid the foundation for a museum in the palace, with Rs 40 crore allocated for the project.
The TMP’s youth and student wings, including the Youth TIPRA Federation and Tipra Students’ Federation, previously staged protests urging the government to reconsider the privatization plan.
Chakraborty accused the BJP government of undermining Tripura’s cultural identity. “This move to turn the palace into a commercial hub is an attempt to destroy the state’s history and traditions,” he added.
