Agartala, April 09: A protest rally was held in Agartala on Tuesday by the Tribal Youth Federation (TYF) Central Committee, condemning what they termed as a casteist remark by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath. The remark in question was allegedly made on March 24 during a religious gathering, where the minister reportedly targeted the caste of opposition leader and CPIM MLA Jitendra Choudhury.
The TYF, affiliated with left-aligned tribal youth movements, strongly criticised the statement, accusing the minister of making socially divisive comments that violate the spirit of unity and respect among communities. The protest march began near the city’s tribal youth office and proceeded through various streets, drawing a significant number of participants.
Protesters carried placards demanding action against the minister, asserting that such remarks were unbecoming of a public representative. The demonstration culminated in the symbolic burning of an effigy of Minister Ratan Lal Nath. During the protest gathering, a senior TYF leader addressed the media, calling for accountability and an official apology from the minister.
“We cannot accept such casteist comments, especially from someone who holds a ministerial post. This is an insult not just to the leader concerned but to the entire community,” said the leader.
The protest was also supported by other left-wing student and youth organisations, who echoed TYF's demand for disciplinary action against Nath. They further called upon the state government to maintain decorum in public discourse and ensure that elected officials are held to higher standards of conduct.
The incident has sparked political tensions, with the opposition demanding a public clarification, while the ruling party has yet to issue an official response. The TYF assured that protests would continue until appropriate action is taken.
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