The Tripura Legislative Assembly witnessed unprecedented chaos during its ongoing Budget session as opposition CPI(M) lawmakers staged a protest against Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath for allegedly making a racist remark against Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Jitendra Chaudhury. The controversy erupted after Nath reportedly commented, “Jiten Babu has demonstrated his tribe,” during Chaudhury’s speech on the Budget discussion.
Opposition’s Reaction
CPI(M) MLAs demanded an immediate apology from the minister, accusing him of making derogatory and racially insensitive remarks targeting Chaudhury’s tribal identity. Despite Nath’s clarification that his comment referred to the “mindset of the CPI(M) party” and was not intended to insult the opposition leader’s tribe, the Speaker rejected the privilege motion filed by Chaudhury under Rule-173 of the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure. This decision further fueled the opposition’s outrage.
Walkout and Boycott
The CPI(M) legislators stormed the Well of the House, chanting slogans and demanding accountability. When their demands were ignored, they staged a walkout and announced their decision to boycott the remaining days of the Budget session, which is scheduled to conclude on April 1.
Political Implications
The incident has escalated tensions in Tripura’s political landscape, where tribal identity and representation remain sensitive issues. Chaudhury, a veteran tribal leader, has accused the BJP-led government of fostering divisive rhetoric, while Nath has denied any intention to hurt sentiments.
This controversy highlights the challenges of navigating identity politics in legislative proceedings and underscores the need for respectful dialogue in addressing sensitive issues. The fallout from this incident is likely to shape political discourse in Tripura in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds.
