Tripura BJP MLA apologises for remarks on tribal food habits

BJP MLA Tafajjal Hussain, representing the Boxanagar Assembly constituency in Sepahijala district, apologised on Wednesday in Agartala for remarks that were perceived as offensive to the food habits of indigenous people. He told reporters, "During my campaign for Sonamura Nagar Panchayat, I was only trying to expose the CPI(M)’s campaign against the BJP. I had no intention of hurting the sentiments of our tribal brothers and sisters. The CPI(M) twisted my words and launched a malicious campaign against me on social media. I apologise if any indigenous people have been hurt by the distorted version of my statement,". Nagaland Post reported that the controversy began after a video allegedly showing Hussain making the remarks surfaced online.

Reactions from political leaders

Tipra Motha Party founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma demanded a public apology, accusing the MLA of statements that could incite communal hatred. In a social media post he wrote, "Whether it is this MLA or YouTuber Amir Shokeen, there is no difference in their attitude towards us. We are Tiprasa, and our eating habits do not change with who is in power," and added, "This man should apologise for his statement and inciting communal hatred. Those who smuggle cows to Bangladesh should not preach to us about what we eat in Tripura," in a video message.

BJP state general secretary Bipin Debbarma described the comments as undesirable. He said, "Every society has its own culture and food habits. One should not target the culture or food habits of others. We will lodge a complaint with the state president and the chief minister. The party firmly believes that everybody should respect each other’s culture, tradition and food habits,". The leader of the Opposition in the Tripura Assembly, Jitendra Chaudhury, also condemned the remarks, calling them "irresponsible and objectionable". He stated, "The statement of the BJP MLA has directly hurt the sentiments of the indigenous people of the state. I urge the chief minister to take action against his party MLA for using irresponsible and objectionable words against the tribal society. This is against the centuries-old tradition and culture of the indigenous tribes,".

Upcoming municipal elections

The incident occurred ahead of scheduled elections for municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats, which are set for November 27, according to Nagaland Post. The elections will include the Sonamura Nagar Panchayat, the constituency where Hussain said he was campaigning. The timing of the controversy has heightened scrutiny of political rhetoric in the run-up to the polls, with parties emphasizing respect for cultural and culinary traditions of Tripura's tribal communities.