Tripura government’s decision to rename Agartala Town Hall after Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee sparks backlash from CPI(M), Congress, and Tipra Motha. Opposition leaders and cultural voices argue the move erases civic and royal heritage. Critics urge the government to construct a new building instead of renaming the iconic structure.
The Tripura government’s recent announcement to rename the historic Agartala Town Hall after Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, has stirred strong political and cultural resistance from various quarters, including the opposition CPI(M), the Congress, and even the BJP’s ally Tipra Motha.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha made the announcement during a function celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Mookerjee on Sunday. He not only declared that the Town Hall would be renamed in Mookerjee’s honour but also announced two new awards and a marble statue to commemorate the late political leader.
However, the move has ignited sharp criticism from multiple political and civil society groups who argue that the decision undermines Tripura’s cultural and historical identity.
CPI(M) Criticises Renaming Decision
CPI(M) Politburo member and Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury strongly opposed the decision, calling it “inappropriate” and “disrespectful.” He emphasised that Agartala Town Hall, built in 1985 and inaugurated by then Vice President R. Venkataraman, carries a significant civic legacy and has hosted numerous historical and cultural events over the past four decades.
“Globally, town halls bear the names of their cities as they represent the people’s space. Renaming it after a national leader, however respected, undermines that tradition and even does injustice to Dr. Mookerjee’s stature,” said Chaudhury. He added that the government is free to construct new infrastructure in Dr. Mookerjee’s name but should refrain from altering established landmarks.
Chaudhury also pointed out that the Left government had built the Town Hall after demolishing a royal guest house adjacent to the Ujjayanta Palace, constructed in 1913. “Instead of preserving heritage, now the BJP government is trying to overwrite it,” he stated.
Tipra Motha MLA Flags Royal Heritage Concerns
Ranjit Debbarma, an MLA from the BJP’s ruling ally Tipra Motha, also raised objections, arguing that the Town Hall stands on the site of the historic ‘Lal Mahal,’ a part of Tripura’s royal palace complex. He accused the government of systematically erasing the contributions of the Manikya dynasty and indigenous heritage.
“First Darbar Hall was turned into Sukanta Academy, then Victoria Memorial was renamed IGM Hospital. Now it’s the Town Hall. These are parts of our identity. We must protect, not erase them,” Debbarma said. He praised former Chief Minister Biplab Deb for previously restoring Tripura’s indigenous identity by renaming the Agartala Airport after Maharaja Bir Bikram.
Congress and Cultural Bodies Also Protest
Tripura Congress President and former MLA Asish Kumar Saha echoed similar sentiments, saying the Congress was not opposed to honouring Dr. Mookerjee, but the way it’s being done is problematic.
“We welcome new structures being named after national icons. But renaming the Town Hall is unjustified. Let the government build a modern auditorium or public institution to honour Dr. Mookerjee,” Saha said.
Cultural organisations also voiced strong opposition. Samir Dhar, writer and president of the cultural body ‘Aawaj,’ said that the government should consider constructing new auditoriums, given the increasing need for cultural venues in the city, and those new venues could be appropriately named after Dr. Mookerjee.
Call to Reconsider the Move
Several historians and public intellectuals argue that the legacy of the Agartala Town Hall should be preserved for posterity. They stressed that renaming it could erase a valuable piece of civic and royal history that belongs to the people of Tripura.
“The renaming move not only stirs political controversy but also raises questions about the preservation of heritage and identity,” said a local historian.
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Despite the backlash, the government has not yet indicated any reconsideration of its decision. However, growing political and civil pressure may compel Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s administration to revisit the announcement in the coming days.
The issue has now become a flashpoint for debates around heritage, politics, and identity in Tripura — a state rich in cultural diversity and historic legacy.
