Agartala, August 24:
TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma on Sunday late evening said he may have to take “strong decisions” in the coming days if the interests of the Tiprasa people are not protected, asserting that constitutional safeguards for the community were more important than political alliances, electoral considerations or positions of power.
In a strongly worded live address, Debbarma said he was prepared to face political setbacks, including the possibility of some MLAs and MDCs leaving him, but would not compromise on what he described as the long-term interests and survival of the Tiprasa community.
“I may take a decision because of which one or two MLAs, two or three MDCs may leave us,” he said, adding that leaders could come and go but the Tiprasa people would continue to support those who speak about the future of their children.
Debbarma said his political approach had become more measured with responsibility and age, but maintained that this did not mean that his ideology, commitment or position on the interests of the indigenous people had changed.
“Because we are speaking politely, it does not mean that we have changed our thinking, ideology or commitment,” he said.
He stressed that reputation, credibility and integrity were ultimately more important than political positions. Referring to young people who had recently met him, including those who had not received tickets in the last MDC election, he said he was encouraged by their willingness to work for the Tiprasa cause without seeking personal political benefit.
Debbarma said he was no longer interested in politics for the sake of holding office, but wanted future generations to remember that he had fought for them.
“I want the young generation to say that Bagara fought for us,” he said, referring to himself by his traditional name.
He argued that the community’s future could not be secured merely through appointments, ministerial positions or one-time financial assistance, insisting that constitutional rights and safeguards were the only sustainable way forward.
With Bangladesh surrounding Tripura, Debbarma urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately provide constitutional protection for the indigenous community and its land.
“If today you do not protect the land of our Tiprasa people, you do not understand what can happen in the future,” he said, warning that the consequences could become a question for those currently in power.
He appealed to the Centre to look beyond electoral calculations, saying, “Every issue is not a vote bank. The survival of a community is also very important.”
Drawing comparisons with protections extended to communities in Assam and other northeastern states, he questioned why Tiprasa people had to wait for years for even limited safeguards.
“I do not want controversy. I want a solution,” he said, while making it clear that he was prepared to continue the struggle even if it meant going alone.
“I may fight alone and die, but if I lose fighting alone, I will lose; I will not sell out and I will not bow down for the interests of my people,” Debbarma said.
He also said the community would have to decide in the coming days whether to continue waiting or take a different political course.
“If our people are with me, I will take some strong decisions if our people get nothing,” he said, adding that if necessary the issue would be pursued in the 2028 elections — “but without selling out.”
Debbarma’s remarks come amid continuing political debate over the implementation of commitments in the form of the Tripartite Agreement relating to the social, political and economic rights and security of the indigenous people of Tripura and which shall define the future course of TIPRA Motha’s political relationship with the ruling BJP establishment.
