West Agartala PS File Cases Against 'Tipra Motha' Leader Gautam Budha Debbarma and ‘Amra Bangali’ President Gouranga Rudrapal Over Communal Provocation

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, September 15, 2025

Tripura police have registered criminal cases against Tipra Motha leader Gautam Budha Debbarma of Bishramganj and ‘Amra Bangali’ state president Gouranga Rudrapal of Agartala on charges of instigating communal disharmony and provoking violence.

The action comes after videos surfaced on social media showing both leaders making provocative remarks. In one such video, Gautam Budha Debbarma allegedly declared that Bishramganj “belongs to a Debbarma family” and that Bengalis must leave the area. He further claimed that “if 200 people come out with sticks, 500 Bengalis can be driven away,” adding that “this is not the Tripura of 1980 anymore.” Many peace loving people in social media said that these remarks were clearly aimed at disturbing communal peace.

Similarly, during a rally at Orient Chowmuhani in Agartala on August 30, ‘Amra Bangali’ leader Gouranga Rudrapal countered Pradyot Kishore Debbarma’s earlier controversial statements by asserting, “Whose city is Agartala? It belongs to Bengalis too, we are the sons of the soil.” The video of his speech, which circulated widely on social media, was taken up by police as provocative.

Following the viral spread of these speeches, hundreds of comments and counter-videos with inflammatory content flooded social media, further intensifying communal tensions. Police, sensing the situation could spiral out of control, registered suo-motu cases.

According to officials, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 196(a), 352, and 353(5) have been invoked against both leaders.

Section 196(a) relates to promoting enmity between groups on the grounds of religion, race, language or community, carrying a maximum punishment of three years’ imprisonment (five years if committed in a religious place).

Section 352 deals with intentional insult intended to provoke breach of peace, punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment.

Section 353 concerns spreading false or inflammatory statements leading to public mischief, carrying up to three years’ imprisonment (extendable to five years if linked to religious places or events).

Since these are offences punishable with less than seven years under the new BNS, police cannot arrest the accused directly and must first issue notices. Accordingly, notices have been served to Gautam Budha Debbarma and Gouranga Rudrapal, directing them to appear before police for questioning.

The suo-motu case against Gautam Budha Debbarma was lodged by SI Dipankar Debnath of West Agartala police station late Saturday night, while SI Gobinda Lal Sinha has been assigned to investigate. Another case against Gouranga Rudrapal was filed by West Agartala PS OC Rana Chatterjee.

Political observers say the move reflects growing pressure on the police to act against communal provocation regardless of political affiliations. Citizens’ groups have welcomed the step, calling it a timely measure to preserve communal harmony in the state. But questions raises why police excuses Pradyot Kishore Debbarma for his same derogatory comments.

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