Agartala, October 22: Tipra Motha Party founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma on Wednesday declared that he is no longer in politics and could not be controlled by anyone, asserting that the interests of his people would remain his foremost priority.
Addressing the traditional Hosom Bhujan programme at Manikya Court in Agartala, Pradyot said, “I am not in politics, so no one can control me now. I will always speak first and foremost for the interests of my people, rather than for the interests of any political party.”
Reflecting on the journey of his movement, he said that when he started it, hardly anyone stood beside him. However, he claimed that the movement had now gained widespread recognition and stressed that unity among communities was its greatest strength.
Emphasising an inclusive vision of Tripura, Pradyot said people belonging to different communities, including Meiteis from Manipur, Munda, Santhal, Oraon, Kuki, Garo and Chakma communities, were equally his own. He urged people to rise above ethnic and communal differences and recognise one another as part of a shared society.
“As long as you believe that your enemy is one of your own, someone sitting right here among you, you will never be able to move forward,” he said, cautioning against divisions that prevent communities from progressing together.
Using the examples of Lord Rama and Ravana, Pradyot said that good and evil existed within the human mind, and individuals had to choose which path to follow. He described Phansad—a rallying cry associated with unity and collective mobilisation—as a responsibility resting in the hands of the people.
According to him, unity had helped bring recognition to the movement across the Northeast and other parts of India. He warned that hatred, resentment and anger could destroy the very solidarity that had strengthened the cause.
Referring to a viral video in which a youth from Tripura was allegedly mocked, Pradyot said he did not know whether the person targeted belonged to the Chakma, Mogh, Debbarma, Jamatia, Koloi, Kaipeng or Riang community. However, he maintained that an insult directed at someone from Tripura hurt people across the state, irrespective of their ethnic or linguistic identity.
He stressed that such incidents should not become an excuse for further divisions, reiterating the need to protect mutual respect and the collective dignity of Tripura’s people.
Pradyot also expressed concern over the state’s continued dependence on the Centre to resolve internal problems. Pointing out that Tripura has a population of around 40 lakh, he questioned why people could not find solutions to their issues within the state itself.
“When we fail to reach a solution among ourselves, we have to board a plane and head to the Centre. The Centre ends up acting as the judge—all because we cannot resolve our issues on our own,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with the situation in Manipur, where Meitei and Kuki communities have experienced severe divisions, he questioned how political rivalries had pushed people who once shared society into conflict.
“Who divided you? It was the politicians who divided you,” he said, warning that ordinary people were bearing the consequences of political divisions while those responsible for creating them continued to enjoy security and prosperity.
He alleged that the children of those fuelling divisions continued to study in good schools, live in permanent houses and enjoy financial security, while ordinary people who followed divisive rhetoric remained poor and fought among themselves.
“Put an end to this; stop it,” Pradyot urged, calling on people to reject hatred and prioritise unity, mutual understanding and collective progress.
His remarks at the traditional gathering came amid heightened public attention over the controversy surrounding derogatory remarks allegedly directed at a youth from Tripura in a viral video. His address sought to underline that the dignity of the state and the interests of its people should transcend party politics and community boundaries.