Pradyot rules out possibilities of making political comeback

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Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman on Wednesday ruled out returning to active politics, saying he wanted to focus on Tripura’s development and continue discharging his traditional responsibilities as the state’s royal head.

Debbarman made the remarks while speaking to media persons at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala, shortly after arriving in the state. He also called for strict action against social media content creator Amir Shokeen over alleged derogatory remarks about Tripura and its people.

“I am not in politics and I do not intend to be in politics. I want to continue being with my people in the state, but I have already made up my mind that I will not return to politics,” he said.

Debbarman, who recently announced his retirement from politics, said he felt he had not received adequate recognition in the political sphere.

“I think people like me should not be in politics because I do not think I am valued as much,” he said.

On the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, he extended his greetings to the people of Tripura and expressed hope for peace, prosperity and development across the state. He also said he would continue performing his traditional duties as the royal head.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding Shokeen’s video, Debbarman said the content creator had apologised but maintained that presenting racial slurs as jokes did not diminish the harm caused by such remarks.

“I think that gentleman has also apologised. But when people make fun of Tripura and call our people ‘Chinki’ and ‘Chinese’, they later say it was a joke made to go viral. It may be a joke to them, but it hurts us,” he said.

Debbarman said the remarks were offensive not only to the indigenous community but also to people across Tripura. He questioned the use of derogatory language against the state and said the issue concerned the dignity of its people as a whole.

Calling for firm action, he cited Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s response to similar incidents as an example of how a state could address such matters.

“If this happened in Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma would send his police to apprehend them and bring them to Assam. I think we should also take similar action in Tripura because these people make fun of our small state, thinking we will not respond,” he said.

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