Tripura’s New State Emblem Sparks Debate: CM Defends Process Amid Criticism
Agartala, Jan 13, 2025, By Our Correspondent59
The unveiling of Tripura's official state emblem has stirred significant controversy, prompting Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha to address the issue in the state Assembly on Monday. Dr. Saha clarified that the emblem’s design was finalized only after extensive consultations with various stakeholders and a unanimous approval from the state Cabinet. Following this, the proposal was sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which granted its approval last week, marking a historic milestone for the northeastern state.
Responding to sharp criticism from Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chowdhury, Dr. Saha underscored that due process was followed meticulously. He emphasized that the government sought inputs from diverse groups, including artists, intellectuals, and cultural experts, before recommending the emblem to the MHA. Highlighting the proactive role of his administration, Dr. Saha remarked, “For 35 years, the Left Front governed Tripura but never finalized an official emblem. The BJP-led government took the initiative, adhered to all necessary protocols, and successfully finalized it.” As the Home and Information and Cultural Affairs Minister, Dr. Saha also reiterated the emblem’s significance in representing the state’s identity.
The controversy gained traction when Chowdhury, who also serves as the CPI-M state secretary and a former minister, alleged that the new emblem does not adequately reflect Tripura’s heritage, culture, and traditions. Criticizing the saffron background of the design, he suggested that the emblem should incorporate elements like a green background or the state animal, the elephant, to better resonate with Tripura’s identity as one of the greenest states in India. Chowdhury urged the government to reconsider the emblem’s design and adopt a version more reflective of the state’s ethos.
Tourism and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, defending the emblem, revealed that a public competition had been conducted to gather design ideas. He dismissed the opposition’s objections, stating, “The Left parties are habitual fault finders who fail to view initiatives in a positive light.”
The approval of the emblem by the MHA last week marks a significant chapter in Tripura’s history. Dr. Saha celebrated the achievement, describing it as a "proud representation of Tripura's history, culture, and people" in a social media post. This development comes over five decades after Tripura attained full statehood.
Tripura’s journey to statehood began in October 1949 when the erstwhile princely state merged with the Indian Union. Alongside Manipur, Tripura became a Union Territory before achieving full statehood on January 21, 1972, under the North Eastern Region (Re-Organisation) Act of 1971. Meghalaya, formerly part of Assam, also attained statehood on the same day.