Black-flag protest against Tripura CPM leader Jitendra Chaudhury over ‘disrespect’ to traditional headgear

Two days ago, the ruling BJP objected to a photograph of the Opposition leader where he was seen sitting on a sofa with a risa hanging on its headrest behind him. The BJP termed the CPM “anti-tribal”, claimed that Jitendra Chaudhury was sitting on the risa, and questioned if his party wanted to show disrespect towards tribals in this way.

The BJP also wrote on Facebook that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had ensured global respect and recognition for risa, in the form of a GI tag.

While the protesters carried no party flag, the BJP shared videos of their protest on social media and wrote, “Disrespect to Tripura’s Risa! Discontent among the tribal community. Jitedra Chaudhury was shown black flags. The tribal community has a single demand – an immediate apology.”

How did Jitedra Chaudhury react?

Reacting to the protest, Jitendra Chaudhury said, “Their market value has lessened. If one has to raise value in the market, one has to sometimes raise one’s voice, just like how hawkers try to attract customers… The BJP is in such a situation… Tribal women wear risa. It is actually a breast cloth. Now, almost no one uses it except for cultural events. When I was the cultural affairs minister, I had introduced risa myself in the state.

Anyway, the prime minister has worn risa around his neck in a few programmes, which is fine. But we don’t wear risa around our neck. Women use it (as a breast cloth). We use it as headgear or keep it in our rooms. I had held a press conference lately, where a cloth like a risa was there on the sofa, not beneath me but on the sofa. BJP Janajati Morcha leader Bipin Debbarma and the BJP IT cell started spreading a campaign that I had disrespected risa.”

Jitendra Chaudhury said some media reports falsely claimed that he was sitting on the risa. “This is absolutely false. I had kept the risa on the sofa, straight as my spine, which would never bow down to the BJP, RSS, and their divisive agenda. The BJP is losing ground and is trying to create a distraction,” he said.

“I saw that youths had come with black flags. Nobody even looked at me. I was trying to look at their faces. I feel they were ashamed to look at me. They realised and went away. I would rather ask why Janajati Morcha is not holding elections in ADC village committees. Why are they not showing black flags to PM Modi, who is withholding the 125th amendment bill, pending in the Parliament for seven years?”

What is risa?

Risa is essentially a customary handwoven cloth, used as headgear, stole, female upper cloth, or presented as a mark or honour to a distinguished recipient. It has been in circulation as an honorary stole for the last several years, especially among indigenous community leaders and tribal political leaders. However, Biplab Kumar Deb, who started sporting a risa on his shoulders ever since he started campaigning as a BJP Mahasampark Abhiyan convener in 2015, has made it a part of his style statement. Many BJP functionaries, tribals and non-tribals alike, wear risa.

Risa is one of the three parts of the customary Tripuri female attire. The garment was traditionally handwoven, since the handloom is considered an integral part of the Tripuri household. Even with modern powerloom-manufactured garments ruling the market, Tripuri handloom and handicraft products are making their presence felt.

The three parts are Rignai, Rikutu, and the Risa. Rignai is primarily used to cover the lower half of the body and literally means “to wear”. It can be understood as a customary variety of the saree. Rituku is a part of the garment mainly used to cover the upper half of the body. However, it is also used like a chunri or a pallu of the saree. It is also used by newly married Tripuri women to cover their heads.

Multiple uses

Adolescent Tripuri girls are first given a risa in an event called Risa Sormani, held when they reach 12-14 years of age. The event involves prayers to a Lampra god, where her elder women pray for her well-being throughout the rest of her life. Risa is primarily used as a breast cloth and is woven in different colourful designs.

However, it is also used in religious festivals like the Garia Puja, a customary festival of the tribal communities, or as a turban by men during weddings and festivals, as a cummerbund over a dhoti, a headscarf by young girls and boys, and a muffler during winters. Risa is also used as a makeshift hanger to hold infants on the mothers’ backs.