Agartala, October 22: Tipra Motha Party founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Thursday demanded that Tripura Police bring social media content creator Amir Shokeen from Delhi to Tripura for investigation into alleged derogatory remarks against the state and its people.
In a Facebook Live broadcast, Pradyot strongly condemned the language allegedly used by Shokeen, asserting that the remarks had hurt not only the dignity of the Tiprasa community but also the sentiments of the entire state and its cultural and historical identity.
“What he has done is not only an insult to the Tiprasa people, but an insult to the whole of Tripura, to Maa Tripura Sundari and to the entire state of Tripura,” Pradyot said, expressing outrage over the alleged remarks targeting a member of the community and the state’s youth.
Rejecting the reported explanation that the comments were made as a joke or for content creation, the Tipra Motha founder said vulgar and offensive language could not be justified in the name of humour.
“You want to crack a joke, crack a joke, but what you have done is vulgar. Vulgarity cannot be compared to a joke. So, you have to pay the price,” he said, insisting that an apology alone should not bring the matter to a close.
Pradyot urged Tripura Police to send a team to Delhi, take Shokeen into custody in accordance with the law and bring him to Tripura for questioning, arguing that the FIR had been registered in the state and the investigation should proceed there.
“Just calling him to a police station in Delhi and talking to him will not be enough. I want you to bring him to Tripura. The FIR has been filed in Tripura, and the investigation should take place here,” he said.
He further offered to explain Tripura’s history, identity and cultural heritage to the accused, if necessary, stressing that people must understand the significance of the words they use while referring to the Northeast and its communities.
Pradyot also appealed to the state’s younger generation to regard the controversy as a matter of dignity and collective pride. He said Tripura had contributed significantly to the country and its people should not remain silent when their identity and heritage were allegedly subjected to ridicule.
“If we make this an example today, people will think twice before making fun of our people and our state,” he said, calling on the Tripura government to ensure appropriate action in the matter.
Questioning the reported apology, Pradyot argued that expressing regret after making offensive remarks did not erase the seriousness of the alleged act. He maintained that accountability was necessary to prevent similar incidents involving people from the Northeast in the future.
“An apology does not reduce the seriousness of your offence. You will have to face the consequences,” he said, reiterating his appeal for Tripura Police to bring the matter forward through the state’s legal process.
Pradyot concluded by asserting that the alleged remarks had wounded Tripura’s historical pride and dignity, and that the issue should be addressed through appropriate legal action to send a strong message against derogatory comments targeting the state and its people.