Pradyot Kishore Debbarman slams Chinese Slur, appears in West Tripura court to fight defamation case against arrested youtuber Saikat Talapatra.
Tipra Motha Party (TMP) supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarman on Thursday strongly condemned the derogatory labeling of Tripura’s indigenous tribal people as “Chinese,” describing it as not only defamatory but also indicative of a deeply ingrained discriminatory mindset. He was speaking to the media after recording his statement before the District and Sessions Court in West Tripura in connection with a defamation case filed under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The case stems from a social media post made on July 17, 2023, by one Saikat Talapatra, in which offensive and racially charged language was allegedly used to describe the indigenous population of Tripura and Debbarman himself. The TMP leader had filed a formal complaint at the West Agartala Police Station on October 14, 2023, describing the post as an attack not just on him but on the entire indigenous community and the legacy of his royal lineage.
On Thursday, Debbarman appeared before District and Sessions Judge Subhashish Sharma Roy to record his statement as the first witness in the case. Speaking to reporters after the court proceedings, he expressed dismay and anger over the language used in the social media post.
“It is deeply painful and unfortunate that some people continue to demean the tribal people of Tripura by calling them names like ‘Chinese dalal’ or ‘Chinese aunty.’ This isn’t just about me—it is about my people, my culture, and my family’s legacy. This fight is not personal; it is for the dignity and respect of our indigenous communities,” Debbarman said.
While refraining from divulging case specifics due to its subjudice status, he emphasized that the issue reflects a deeper societal rot—one that views indigenous identity through a lens of suspicion and alienation. “We must confront this mindset head-on. Such derogatory comments are not just insults—they are tools of exclusion and discrimination,” he added.
The accused, Saikat Talapatra, was arrested on October 6, 2023, from West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district. He was produced in court during Thursday’s hearing. Talapatra, once a government school teacher in Tripura, lost his job due to dereliction of duty. He later worked as an anchor for a local television channel before moving into digital media platforms like Facebook and YouTube.
Special Public Prosecutor Raju Datta told the press that the Facebook post in question had seriously harmed the reputation of both the tribal communities and the royal Manikya family, which Debbarman represents. “The chargesheet has been filed after a thorough police investigation. The trial has officially begun, and Debbarman appeared today as the first witness,” said Datta.
The case has attracted significant public attention in Tripura, especially among the indigenous communities, many of whom see it as part of a broader fight against racial insensitivity and the erosion of tribal identity. TMP supporters and civil society groups have rallied around Debbarman, commending his decision to seek legal redress against what they perceive as hate speech disguised as online commentary.
In addition to the current case, Talapatra reportedly faces multiple other legal complaints for allegedly making derogatory remarks against several political figures through his social media platforms. Those allegedly targeted include Chief Minister Manik Saha, former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman, and several others across the political spectrum.
Debbarman has emerged in recent years as a prominent voice for tribal rights and identity in Tripura. As the head of the Tipra Motha Party, he has advocated for ‘Greater Tipraland’, often making inflammatory speeches based on his perceived grievances and demanding structural reforms to safeguard their cultural and political rights.
