Tripura BJP MLA apologises after Pradyot Oppn condemn food remarks

    Agartala, Nov 11 (PTI) BJP MLA Tafajjal Hussain on Wednesday apologised for his controversial remarks on the food habits of indigenous people in Tripura, saying he had no intention of hurting their sentiments.

    "During my campaign for Sonamura Nagar Panchayat, I was only trying to expose the CPI(M)'s campaign against the BJP. I had no intention of hurting the sentiments of our tribal brothers and sisters. The CPI(M) twisted my words and launched a malicious campaign against me on social media. I apologise if any indigenous people have been hurt by the distorted version of my statement," he told reporters.

    Elections to municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats will be held on November 27

    The controversy erupted after a video purportedly showing Hussain, the BJP legislator from Boxanagar Assembly constituency in Sepahijala district, making controversial remarks on the food habits and lifestyle of indigenous people surfaced.

    Reacting to the remarks, Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma had earlier demanded a public apology from the legislator, accusing him of making statements that could incite communal hatred.

    "Whether it is this MLA or YouTuber Amir Shokeen, there is no difference in their attitude towards us. We are Tiprasa, and our eating habits do not change with who is in power," Debbarma said in a social media post.

    "This man should apologise for his statement and inciting communal hatred. Those who smuggle cows to Bangladesh should not preach to us about what we eat in Tripura," he said in a video message.

    Reacting to the controversy, BJP state general secretary Bipin Debbarma said the MLA's remarks on the food habits of indigenous people were undesirable.

    "Every society has its own culture and food habits. One should not target the culture or food habits of others. We will lodge a complaint with the state president and the chief minister. The party firmly believes that everybody should respect each other's culture, tradition and food habits," he said.

    Leader of the Opposition in the Tripura Assembly, Jitendra Chaudhury, also condemned the BJP MLA's remarks, describing them as "irresponsible and objectionable".

    "The statement of the BJP MLA has directly hurt the sentiments of the indigenous people of the state. I urge the chief minister to take action against his party MLA for using irresponsible and objectionable words against the tribal society. This is against the centuries-old tradition and culture of the indigenous tribes," he said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)