Tripura cops register criminal cases against two for ‘hate speech’

Agartala: In a decisive move to curb rising communal tension, Tripura Police have registered criminal cases against Gautam Buddha Debbarma, a prominent TIPRA Motha party leader, and Gouranga Rudrapal, the state president of Amra Bangali.

The charges stem from inflammatory remarks made by both leaders, which have been widely circulated on social media, threatening to disrupt the state’s fragile communal harmony.Debbarma, hailing from Bishramganj in the Sepahijala district, is accused of making incendiary statements against the Bengali community, suggesting they vacate the area and claiming ancestral ownership. He further asserted, “If 200 people come out with sticks, 500 Bengalis can be driven away,” and stated, “This is not the Tripura of 1980 anymore.”His comments, captured in a viral video, have sparked outrage and concern over potential ethnic violence.In a retaliatory speech, Rudrapal, speaking at a rally in Agartala, asserted the rights of the Bengali community, further inflaming tension. “This land belongs to Bengalis, too. We are the sons of the soil,” he said. His remarks, also widely shared online, have been deemed provocative by authorities.The controversy traces back to a rally in Delhi, where TIPRA Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarman made contentious claims about state ownership, igniting a firestorm of debate and division.

In response to the escalating situation, police have invoked sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita (BNS) to register suo-motu cases against both leaders. The charges, which carry penalties of less than seven years, have prompted authorities to summon Debbarma and Rudrapal for questioning.As the situation remains volatile, the police's swift action underscores the urgent need to maintain peace and prevent further communal discord in the region.