Tipra Motha Party founder and Tripura’s royal scion, Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, on Friday reaffirmed that the ongoing movement in the state is not rooted in party politics. Instead, he said, it is a collective struggle to protect indigenous identity, rights, and the future of tribal communities.
He was speaking at a gathering organised by the Tripur Kshatriya Samaj at Herma Sports Ground in Charilam, Sepahijala district. The event witnessed the presence of tribal leaders, traditional heads, and community members from across the state.
“This is not a speech and not politics. This is a commitment to our next generation,” Pradyot Manikya said, drawing loud applause from the audience.
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Call for Unity Across Communities
Emphasising unity, Pradyot Manikya urged tribal communities to rise above divisions based on clan, caste, or religion. According to him, internal differences only weaken the collective strength of indigenous people.
“Do not think who is Debbarma, Reang, Molsom, or Uchoi. Also, do not think who is Hindu or Christian,” he said. “First, we must love ourselves and each other. Unity, or thansa, is the key.”
He added that only unity can ensure long-term security and dignity for tribal communities. Therefore, he appealed to people to place collective interest above individual identities.
People Now Hold the Power
Referring to Tripura’s royal legacy, Pradyot Manikya invoked Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur. He said that while the monarchy once held authority, power today rests with the people.
Moreover, he expressed confidence that a united indigenous society could shape the state’s future leadership. He stressed that political empowerment is possible when communities stand together.
“If we remain united, the day will come when the king will be from our own tribal community,” he said. “We can and we will make it.”
Warning Against Divisive Forces
At the same time, Pradyot Manikya cautioned against attempts to divide tribal communities for political gain. He warned that such tactics are often used to weaken indigenous movements.
“Many will try to divide us for their own interests,” he said. “However, nothing will come out of it. We are not fools anymore. We understand everything now.”
He further urged people to remain alert and not fall prey to misleading narratives. According to him, awareness and unity are the strongest tools against exploitation.
Lessons from Tripura’s History
Reflecting on Tripura’s past, Pradyot Manikya recalled the reigns of Maharaja Dhannya Manikya and Maharaja Ratna Manikya. During those times, he noted, unity among the people protected the kingdom from external threats.
In contrast, he observed that the collective spirit has weakened in modern times. This has happened despite improvements in infrastructure, connectivity, and resources.
Therefore, he stressed the need to rebuild unity to safeguard the future.
Future Generations at the Centre
Highlighting the responsibility of the present generation, Pradyot Manikya said that failure to unite now would have serious consequences. He emphasised that children and youth must remain at the centre of all decisions.
“If we fail to unite now, our future generations will suffer,” he warned. “We must think first about our children. They should be the true owners of this state.”
Message of Solidarity Reinforced
The event also served as a platform to honour traditional heads and senior community leaders. More importantly, it reinforced the message of solidarity, cultural pride, and shared responsibility.
Overall, Pradyot Manikya’s address underlined a consistent theme of the tribal movement in Tripura. It is a call for unity beyond party lines, focused on preserving identity and securing a just future for indigenous communities.
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