Amra Bangali Slams Tipra Motha for Division Politics, Defends CM’s Remark on Reang Origin, Warns of Growing Anti-Bengali Sentiment in Tripura
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, October 14, 2025
The Amra Bangali Tripura State Committee has sharply criticized Tipra Motha for allegedly promoting communal divisions and maintaining silence on issues threatening Tripura’s social harmony. At a press conference held in Agartala, party secretary Gauranga Rudrapal accused Tipra Motha of using divisive politics for electoral gains while turning a blind eye to attacks on Bengali culture and identity.
Rudrapal referred to the controversial statement made by Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, who claimed that on November 7, people of Tripura will see thst Tripura will belong to the Tiprasas.” He questioned the BJP’s inaction, saying, “Such communal statements go unchallenged by the ruling party. The BJP’s silence is shocking.”
He further attacked Tipra Motha for calling a statewide bandh on October 23, Bhai Phonta day, which holds deep cultural significance for the Bengali community. “They did this intentionally, to insult Bengali tradition and provoke unrest,” Rudrapal said, warning that such moves threaten communal peace.
Referring to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha’s recent remarks at a cultural function, Rudrapal stated that the CM had only spoken historical truth. On October 8, while addressing the 33rd Hojagiri Festival of the Reang community at Bagafa English Medium School in South Tripura’s Shantirbazar subdivision, Dr. Saha said that “Reangs are the second-largest tribal community in Tripura and had migrated long ago from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of present-day Bangladesh.”
However, following the CM’s remark, some sections of the Reang community, allegedly provoked by certain political forces, began raising slogans such as “Go Back Bangladeshi,” targeting Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha and Bengalis in Tripura and creating new tension. Rudrapal said, “While the Chief Minister merely cited historical facts, a section of Tipra Motha is twisting his words to spread hatred.”
He added that despite the rising communal temperature, all political parties, including BJP, CPM, and Congress have remained silent, fearing loss of tribal votes. “Because of such one-sided vote-bank politics and appeasement policies, Bengalis have been insulted and victimized for decades,” he said.
Citing historical and anthropological references, Amra Bangali noted that according to the Tribal Research and Cultural Institute, the Reangs originally migrated from the Shan State of northern Burma (now Myanmar) and settled in parts of Tripura, Assam, and Mizoram. Scholars agree that the Reangs have Mongoloid origins and gradually entered India through multiple routes.
Rudrapal elaborated that not only Reangs but also Tripuris, Chakmas, Mogs, and Garos once lived in regions of present-day Bangladesh, including Chittagong and Garo Hills. “Meanwhile, Bengalis were the native inhabitants of the plains of princely Tripura, the historical region known as Chakla Roshnabad,” he said.
He pointed out that due to Partition and Tripura’s merger with India, many residents of Chakla Roshnabad migrated within the same cultural region for safety and survival. “They were not foreigners but citizens displaced by political turmoil. The real culprits were the shortsighted leaders of that time, yet the blame now falls unfairly on ordinary Bengalis,” Rudrapal said.
Citing 1931 Census data, he highlighted that before Tripura’s merger, out of 3,82,450 total residents, Bengalis numbered 1,98,333, while tribals were 1,84,117, showing that Bengalis were already the majority. “Over the decades, both Bengali and tribal populations have grown naturally, with tribal growth even higher, 507.56% compared to 460.87% among Bengalis between 1951 and 2011,” he stated.
Rudrapal reminded that it was Bengali taxpayers, laborers, and intellectuals who helped build Tripura during the monarchy and after its merger with India. “Bengalis cleared forests, introduced agriculture, and played a major role in modernizing the education, culture, and economy of the tribal population,” he said. “Denying this is denying the history of Tripura itself.”
Issuing a strong warning, Amra Bangali declared, “If Bengalis are labeled foreigners because they migrated from plains of Tripura due to Partition, then by the same logic, Chakmas, Reangs, Mogs, and Garos, who came from areas of present-day Bangladesh would also be foreigners.”
The party reiterated its commitment to unity and equality among all communities. “We oppose any policy that divides society along ethnic lines. We want equal rights, 100% employment guarantee, and a Tripura where exploitation ends and harmony prevails,” Rudrapal said.
He concluded by saying that Amra Bangali is continuing its struggle to build a society based on fraternity and justice, “a vision once dreamt by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.” He accused “anti-Bengali elements” of spreading lies about Amra Bangali to retain political power through fear and misinformation.
“Those who fear the truth of history are the ones trying to erase it,” Rudrapal said. “But we will continue to speak for justice, equality, and the true history of Tripura.”
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