Agartala, June 25: High drama unfolded at the old MLA hostel in Radhanagar on Wednesday as agitated members of the BJP’s Janajati Morcha broke open the iron gate and stormed the premises, demanding an apology and resignation from senior Congress leader and MLA Sudip Roy Barman over his controversial comments targeting the tribal community and BJP.
The protest, led by BJP tribal leader and state general secretary Bipin Debbarma, saw hundreds of supporters from Agartala and surrounding areas defy security deployment and raise slogans against Roy Barman, who resides at the premises.
Debbarma alleged that during a Congress tribal wing programme in Ambassa on Tuesday, Roy Barman had made derogatory remarks, stating that “BJP leaders urinate on tribals.”
Terming the statement as deeply insulting, Debbarma said, “Such language is unconstitutional and demeaning. As a sitting MLA and senior leader, he should resign immediately for attacking the dignity of indigenous people.”
Senior police officials, including SP West Dr. Kiran Kumar, rushed to the spot and claimed the situation was under control, although the protestors managed to damage property and breach security barriers.
Responding to the day’s events, Roy Barman hit back, calling the BJP protestors “hooligans” and accusing the police of acting as “mute spectators” under pressure from the ruling party.
“The Tripura Police has become a puppet in the hands of BJP. They act only against the Opposition while protecting the ruling party’s goons,” he said.
On his controversial remark, Roy Barman clarified that he was referencing about an incident in Madhya Pradesh where a BJP leader was caught urinating on a tribal man. “My statement highlighted the BJP’s inherent casteist mindset. Their hate towards ST, SC, and OBC communities is not new—it is systemic and visible across the country,” he added.
The incident has further escalated political tensions in Tripura, with tribal sentiments at the center of an unfolding storm.
