States » EastPosted at: Nov 15 2026 5:08PM


Tripura police launch probe against BJP MLA for controversial remarks targeting tribals

Agartala, Nov 15 (UNI) Tripura police have initiated an inquiry into Tafajjal Hossain, a BJP MLA from Boxanagar in Sepahijala district, following several complaints about his controversial comments regarding the dietary habits and lifestyles of the state’s indigenous tribal communities.
The day prior to these remarks, Hossain suggested that Dr Manik Saha’s position as Chief Minister was unstable within the BJP, indicating that a change could happen based on decisions from party leaders in Delhi. He said that in the BJP, a member's role is not guaranteed, and they can lose their position unexpectedly.
Hossain stated that individuals can hold a role one day and find themselves stripped of responsibilities the next. He referenced former Chief Minister and current Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb, noting that Deb likely did not expect to step down from his role, which changed overnight due to a call from the party leadership in Delhi in 2022, just months before the assembly elections.
The BJP has served Hossain a show-cause notice, requiring him to respond to his controversial statements within a week.
A recent report highlights that police have faced criticism from opposition groups, including TIPRA Motha, a BJP ally, for not taking action against Hossain.
The criticism is particularly significant given the police's recent arrest of Amir Shokeen, a Delhi content creator, over allegations of a racial slur directed at a local youth.
TIPRA Motha leaders have questioned why Hossain has not been charged under the same laws, arguing his comments are more serious due to his position as an elected official.
However, Sonamura Police Station was tasked with investigating the matter, consolidating the various complaints received.
The Sub-Divisional Administration has begun its own inquiry in response to these allegations.
The controversy erupted when a video of the MLA's comments went viral on social media, in which he allegedly discusses the traditional dietary practices of tribal communities.
The comments have drawn significant backlash from parts of the indigenous population, who view them as offensive and disrespectful to their cultural identity. Members of these communities are questioning the language used by their elected representative and have demanded accountability.
Reports indicate that the complaints request action under relevant sections of the BNS, 2023, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, urging the law enforcement to pursue legal actions based on available digital evidence.
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