By TC News Desk
Agartala, 25th March 2025: Four leftist student and youth organizations—Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Tribal Youth Federation (TYF), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and Tripura Students’ Union (TSU)—have strongly reacted to the caste-based taunts made by Minister Ratan Lal Nath against Opposition Leader Jitendra Chowdhury in the Tripura Legislative Assembly.
Addressing a press conference today, the organizations condemned the minister’s remarks, labeling them as an attack on democratic values. DYFI State Secretary Nabarun Deb, speaking at the press conference, stated that making caste-based comments from the sacred platform of the Assembly is not only reprehensible but also encourages anti-social behavior. He expressed concern that such statements could provoke similar sentiments outside the Assembly, thereby endangering social harmony.
The controversy erupted on Monday, the second day of the ongoing budget session, when a heated debate took place between Minister Ratan Lal Nath and Opposition Leader Jitendra Chowdhury over various aspects of the state budget. During the verbal exchange, Minister Nath allegedly made remarks about the caste of the opposition leader, triggering protests from the opposition benches. The incident led to a tense atmosphere within the Assembly.
During the press conference, the leftist youth leaders highlighted that such comments undermine the democratic spirit and deepen social divisions. They argued that introducing caste-based rhetoric into political discussions would only further deteriorate the state’s political discourse. They demanded that Minister Ratan Lal Nath retract his statement and issue a public apology to uphold the dignity of the Assembly.
