Tripura Olympic Association Condemns Campaign Against Adviser Chairman Ratan Saha, Warns of Legal Action

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, May 3, 2026

Tripura Olympic Association has strongly defended its Advisory Council Chairman Ratan Saha amid what it described as a malicious and misleading campaign targeting him over his participation in the electoral process in West Bengal. In a public circular issued on Saturday, the Association said Ratan Saha has been rendering selfless and dedicated service for the development of sports in Tripura and has played a crucial role in strengthening the state’s sporting environment.

The Association stated that Ratan Saha had taken a leading role in movements aimed at protecting the Tripura Olympic Association from the influence of dishonest elements and contributed significantly towards reinforcing the sports infrastructure and administration in the state. According to the statement signed by TOA Secretary Sujit Roy, attempts are now being made to unnecessarily harass and defame him despite his long-standing contribution to sports.

The controversy reportedly arose after Ratan Saha exercised his voting rights in Kolkata on April 29, 2026 as a voter of West Bengal. Reacting to the issue, the Tripura Olympic Association clarified that participation in the democratic process in one state does not disqualify any person from contributing to sports or public life in another state. The Association said sports is a matter of passion and commitment for Ratan Saha and asserted that his dedication to the growth of sports in Tripura remains unquestionable.

Describing him as a son of the soil, the Association said Tripura is fortunate to have someone like Ratan Saha continuing to guide and support sports activities despite his extensive business commitments. It further mentioned that his leadership and guidance have been invaluable for athletes, affiliated associations and sports organisers across the state.

The TOA also expressed concern over what it termed a vindictive social media campaign, alleging that certain individuals were spreading false and misleading posts on social media and news platforms to create confusion and sensation among the public. The Association strongly objected to attempts to drag Ratan Saha’s family members into the controversy and criticised efforts to unnecessarily tag Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha in online discussions to intensify the issue.

Warning of serious consequences, the Association said if such sustained harassment forces Ratan Saha to step away from sports administration, it could cause irreparable damage to the future of sports in Tripura. The TOA maintained that these activities are against the interests of athletes and detrimental to the sporting ecosystem of the state.

The Tripura Olympic Association also announced that it is considering appropriate legal action against those allegedly involved in defamation, harassment and dissemination of misinformation. Appealing to athletes, affiliated sports bodies and citizens, the Association urged everyone not to be misled by what it described as baseless propaganda and reaffirmed its support for Ratan Saha and its commitment towards the development of sports in Tripura.

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