Delisting of tribals from scheduled tribe row, Tipra Motha to oppose

Agartala: Tripura Opposition Leader Animesh Debbarma said his party, Tipra Motha, would strongly oppose any move to exclude tribals from Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Dibarma’s comment comes in the wake of a proposed ‘Delisting Rally’ by the Janajati Suraksha Manch, a wing of the RSS-affiliated Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, demanding the withdrawal of ST status from tribals who convert to Christianity.
Manch’s rally is scheduled to be held on December 25 at the Swami Vivekananda Ground here on the eve of Christmas.

“I heard the organisation has sought permission from the state government to organise a rally demanding withdrawal of ST status of tribal people who converted to Christianity. I hope the government does not give its nod,” he told a press conference.

Asserting that reservation was not implemented on the basis of religion or colour, Debbarma said the Tipra Motha would oppose the rally and launch a massive campaign across the state.

“This is an attempt to engineer division among people on the basis of religion. As long India remains secular, no one can withdraw ST status from people who converted to Christianity,” he said.