TTAADC EM Bhabaranjan Reang Condemns CM Dr. Manik Saha’s Remark Claiming 'No Reangs Came from Bangladesh'

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, October 10, 2025

A controversy has erupted following a comment made by Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha during the opening ceremony of the 33rd State Level Hojagiri Festival 2025, held on November 8 at Bokafa Ashram English Medium H/S School playground, East Bokafa, Santirbazar, South Tripura.

While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha stated that many Reang families migrated to Tripura from Mizoram and Bangladesh due to religious persecution, as they are Hindus.

The statement triggered strong objections from TTAADC Executive Member (EM) Bhabaranjan Reang, who publicly condemned the Chief Minister’s comment, asserting that the Reang (Bru) community is an indigenous tribe of Tripura and not migrants from any other states and country.

EM Bhabaranjan Reang said, “Reang is an indigenous tribe of Tripura, deeply rooted in the land’s history and culture. Such remarks undermine the identity and dignity of the community.”

During the exchange, Shantirbazar MLA Promod Reang reportedly interrupted EM Bhabaranjan while he was condemning the Chief Minister’s statement, leading to visible tension among attendees. Witnesses claimed the situation became heated as many from the audience expressed disapproval of the interruption, emphasizing that no external interference should silence indigenous voices.

Several members of the Tiprasa community have since raised questions on social media and local platforms, criticizing what they see as disrespect toward indigenous identity and autonomy. They questioned whether a national party could dictate the narrative of Tripura’s indigenous people, saying, “Tiprasa are not to be silenced; our roots cannot be rewritten.”

The event, which was meant to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Reang community through the traditional Hojagiri dance, has now become a center of political and ethnic debate.

Observers note that the incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding indigenous identity issues in Tripura, especially within the TTAADC areas, where communities like the Reang have long fought for recognition, rights, and respect.

As of now, neither the Chief Minister’s Office nor the BJP state leadership has issued an official clarification on the remark. This fresh political row has erupted in Tripura after Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma objected to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s statement regarding the origins of the Reang (Bru) community.

“Truth is truth! History cannot be changed,” Pradyot asserted, defending the Reang community’s deep-rooted presence in Tripura long before the creation of India’s modern borders.

However, several intellectuals and historians in the state have backed the Chief Minister’s statement, claiming that a section of Reang families indeed migrated to Tripura from Mizoram and the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh during times of religious persecution and social displacement.

They pointed out that many of these Reang migrants were later rehabilitated in North Tripura, Gomati, Unakoti, and Dhalai districts under various state and central government schemes.

Meanwhile, political observers allege that Tipra Motha is attempting to amplify the issue on social media and other platforms to create controversy and political polarization ahead of upcoming tribal council elections.

The debate has once again brought Tripura’s ethnic sensitivities and indigenous identity issues to the forefront, highlighting the delicate balance between political rhetoric and historical interpretation in the state’s multi-ethnic landscape.

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