Pradyot slams tribal leaders over ‘delisting Christians’ rally

Agartala: A day after a rally was taken out to press for the passage of an anti-conversion law to protect indigenous faiths and culture by a right wing-backed tribal organisation Janajati Surakha Mancha (JSM), Tripura royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman, founder and leader of the state’s main opposition party, TIPRA Motha, on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the tribal leaders who demanded delisting Christians from ST status.

Besides criticising the organisers, including Padma Shri Bikram Bahadur Jamatia who has been fighting against the conversion of tribals to Christianity since the late 90s during the peak of insurgency, Pradyot said he would embrace everyone with love and compassion to counter the narrative of hatred being spread by some people.

“If someone gets an award from the Centre, it doesn’t necessarily mean the person has to fully surrender himself before the central government. You shouldn’t forget that you were born in this society. Your existence is possible because of this Tiprasa (tribal) community,” Pradyot said.

He pointed out that he would counter the narrative of hatred with his two principal weapons – love and compassion. “Those who want to create conflict within the Tiprasa people may continue with their slogan, but in the New Year we shall embrace everyone with love,” he added.

“Thansa (unity) will be at the centre of our political agenda, as our people (tribals) have suffered because of divide-and-rule policy for 70 years.f you want to serve your masters you are welcome, we shall go forward with our call,” he said.

This article is originally published on  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agartala/pradyot-slams-tribal-leaders-over-delisting-christians-rally/articleshow/106335992.cms