Pradyot Manikya Debbarma Decries Racial Slurs, Seeks Justice for Tripura’s Indigenous Community
Agartala: Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the Royal Scion of Tripura and founder of the Tipra Motha Party, appeared before the West Tripura District and Sessions Court on Thursday for his Examination-in-Chief in connection with a defamation case he had initiated. The case stems from derogatory remarks allegedly made against him and the indigenous people of Tripura, labeling them as “Chinese.”The issue began in 2023 when Pradyot lodged an FIR against Saikat Talapatra, a resident of Agartala, for allegedly referring to him and members of the tribal community with terms such as “Chinese,” “Chinese aunty,” and “Chinese dalal.” These comments, Pradyot claims, were deeply offensive and targeted not only at him personally but at the broader indigenous identity of the people of Tripura.Following the FIR, Talapatra was arrested and booked under the provisions of the Special ST/SC Act 2023, which addresses offenses against marginalized communities.Speaking to the media after his court appearance, Pradyot expressed his anguish over the repeated racial profiling faced by people from the Northeast, even within their own region. “It’s disheartening that in our own country, we are still being labeled based on our appearance. Such derogatory terms are not just insults—they attack our very identity and dignity,” he said.He further emphasized the importance of seeking justice through lawful means rather than resorting to retaliation. “I urged our community not to respond with anger or illegal actions. The legal system exists for a reason, and we believe justice will be served,” he stated.Highlighting a broader issue, Pradyot pointed out that this is not an isolated incident, as many from the Northeast continue to face racial prejudice in other parts of the country. “This is about more than one insult—it’s about recognizing the humanity and identity of our people,” he added.The case is ongoing, but Pradyot remains optimistic that the judiciary will uphold the rights and dignity of Tripura’s indigenous communities.
