Opposition CPM in Tripura assembly walkouts over minister’s alleged racial remark

Agartala: Opposition CPM in Tripura staged a walkout from the ongoing budget session of the assembly on Tuesday, protesting against an alleged racial remark made by parliamentary affairs minister Ratan Lal Nath against leader of opposition Jitendra Chaudhury. During the budget discussion, Chaudhury raised concerns about animal resource development minister Sudhangshu Das. Without naming anyone, he questioned, "The elder brother of a minister was recently felicitated by the chief minister for paying the highest tax. This person worked as a daily-rated worker in various shops before 2018, and the family held a BPL card five years ago. How did this person accumulate so much wealth in such a short time?" Minister Nath objected to Chaudhury's remarks, leading to heated arguments. At one point, Nath allegedly made a controversial statement, saying, "You (Chaudhury) have introduced your Jat (community) by raising a personal issue. We shall confine you in Melarmath (CPM headquarters) if you continue this behaviour in the house." On Tuesday, deputy leader of the opposition Shyamal Chakraborty raised the issue, accusing Nath of targeting Chaudhury due to his tribal background. Chakraborty said, "Attacking someone based on caste, community, creed, or race is unconstitutional and unacceptable. We demand the minister withdraw his remark and apologise." Chakraborty further criticised Nath, saying, "He could have criticized our party's ideology, but instead, he made a caste-based comment. This is condemnable. A senior legislator should not make such remarks." Defending himself, Nath countered the allegations, saying, "Are you trying to provoke indigenous people? Do you not have other issues to raise? The people of Tripura are aware of your negative propaganda. We are not engaging in hooliganism — your party is." In response, Chaudhury said, "This is not civilized behaviour; this is hooliganism." The Speaker instructed Chaudhury to withdraw the term "hooliganism," leading to further protests from CPM MLAs. They demanded the issue be resolved before proceeding with other business, but the Speaker denied their request. Finally, CPM legislators walked out of the assembly and moved a privileged motion against Nath, stating, "Nath abused me, saying Jiten babu has demonstrated his tribe, which is not only derogatory and abusive but also racially offensive against me, my family, and my community."