Tripura Assembly Erupts In Chaos Over Minister’s Alleged ‘Racist’ Remark

AGARTALA: In an unexpected turn of event, a protest by CPI(M) lawmakers demanding an apology from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath for allegedly making racist remarks against Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury created chaos in the Tripura Assembly on Tuesday.

The controversy erupted after Nath made the comment during Chaudhury’s speech on Monday. CPI(M) MLA Shyamal Chakraborty called for an immediate apology from the minister as the Question Hour concluded.

CPI(M) MLAs stormed the well of the House, chanting slogans and insisting that Nath apologize for his words when Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen continued the session. In response, Nath stated that he never meant to offend or harm the ethnicity of the opposition leader.

Despite his clarification, the Speaker did not address the opposition’s demand, leading to the CPI(M) legislators walking out in protest. Chaudhury responded by accusing Nath of making "derogatory and racist remarks" during his speech and moved a priviledge motion against him.

In a letter to the Speaker, Chaudhury stated, “Under Rule-173 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Tripura Legislative Assembly, I intend to lodge a privilege motion against Shri Ratan Lal Nath, Hon’ble Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, for passing highly derogatory and racist remarks. His statement—“Jiten Babu has demonstrated his tribe”—was not only abusive but also racial, targeting myself, my family, and my community.”

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