Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Agartala: Tipra Motha MLA Paul Dangshu is demanding an immediate and unconditional public apology from the Boxanagar BJP MLA. The demand follows a campaign speech that went viral on social media. Dangshu took issue with comments that alleged indigenous people in Tripura eat, breed, and live with pigs.
Dangshu lashed out at the rhetoric. He labeled the address a "disgraceful display of bigotry and arrogance" during his official statement. The MLA argued that the comments were dripping with contempt for his people.
The Boxanagar MLA allegedly used a condescending tone and mock laughter while addressing the crowd. He targeted the Tipra Motha Party and the wider indigenous population during the event. Dangshu stated, "To mock our culture, traditional livelihoods, and identity on a public platform for political posturing is dehumanising and deeply malicious."
The feud centers on the boundaries of political campaigning. Dangshu maintains that electioneering offers no excuse for insults against cultural identity. He insists the BJP representative must walk back these claims to address the hurt caused to the community.
Updated at 11th November 2026 at 5:48pm
The fallout from the campaign speech involves more than just heated rhetoric. Taffajal Hossein, the BJP legislator representing the Boxanagar constituency in Sepahijala district, now faces a formal police complaint filed at the West Agartala Police Station by the Tribal Youth Federation. The group is pushing for a full investigation, citing concerns that the language threatens the state's communal harmony ahead of the November 17 Urban Local Body elections.
The controversy has pulled in senior figures from across the political aisle. Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, founder of Tipra Motha, linked the incident to a broader, systemic disregard for the Tiprasa community. He dismissed the defense of such comments by noting that eating habits remain constant regardless of who holds power. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury condemned the remarks as racist, explicitly warning that the state should not allow such divisive talk to push it toward a conflict similar to the unrest seen in Manipur.
Even within the BJP, the reaction is frayed. State General Secretary Bipin Debbarma questioned whether the legislator actually said what the videos suggest, calling the alleged comments irrelevant. He signaled that the party leadership, including Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha and State President Abhishek Debroy, will review the situation, reiterating that the party respects the cultural traditions of both tribal and Bengali communities.
Updated at 11th November 2026 at 10:00pm
Boxanagar MLA Tafajjal Hossein has since walked back his comments, issuing a formal apology to the Janajati community. Hossein claimed the controversy was a setup, accusing the CPI(M) of circulating edited clips of his speech to manufacture political outrage. He insisted that his words were taken out of context while he was arguing that religious identity should not dictate political affiliation.
Hossein maintained that his target was not the indigenous population but rather political propaganda he alleged was being spread by the CPI(M). He stated that because his party and the Tipra Motha are both partners in the NDA coalition, he had no motive to disrespect his allies. Addressing the uproar, he said, If any of my remarks have hurt the feelings of my Janajati brothers and sisters, I sincerely apologise. I have the utmost respect for every community, and hurting anyone was never my intention.
Updated at 12th November 2026 at 2:00pm
The controversy stems from an election campaign event held in Tamsabari under the Sonamura subdivision. The Tribal Youth Federation complaint specifically cites Sections 196 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, urging police to determine if the remarks violate the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma escalated his criticism by comparing the incident to comments made by YouTuber Amir Shokeen, who previously used derogatory slurs like 'Chinese' and 'Chinky' against Northeast residents. Pradyot noted the severity differs because the current remarks originated from a sitting elected representative.
Chief Minister Manik Saha confirmed on November 12 that he discussed the fallout with the party president. Saha signaled that while the party will pursue legally required steps, the legislator's eventual apology remains a factor in the final assessment of the fallout. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has continued his campaign rounds, conducting door to door outreach in Agartala's Shantipara area to bolster the party's position for the November 17 polls.
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