Over hosting dinner at Ujjayanta Palace for G20 NGO slams govt

Agartala: The INTACH Tripura chapter has condemned the state government’s decision to use the Durbar Hall of Ujjayanta Palace to host a dinner for G20 delegates on April 3.

In a statement, MK Pragya Debbarma, convener of INTACH Tripura chapter, said that many people are not aware, but an official dinner was organized at the Ujjayanta Palace Durbar Hall for a few top delegates.
Debbarma said that as the name suggests, the Durbar Hall was not just a room but a historical and sacred place, and it was much loved by the people of Tripura.

Debbarma added that it has been revered for more than 122 years.
“It was used for coronation/installation ceremonies of Tripura rulers, which were religious in nature and for important, official purposes and never for entertainment or food!”

“Even when Ujjayanta Palace was used as the state assembly building in the past, before becoming a museum, it was used by honorable speakers for official purposes. Unfortunately, the Durbar Hall’s identity is no longer recognized by the state government. It is being stigmatized and it shocks us.”
“On one hand they talk about respecting our centuries-old Indian culture, visionary Maharajas and our glorious historical past, but on the other hand isolated parties are caught – such hypocrisy should be known and people should condemn it. The statement read.
Pragya Debbarma, sister of Tripura’s royal family and Tipra Party chairman Pradyut Debbarma, said it appeared the dinner was supposed to be hosted at a five-star hotel, but officials suddenly decided to host it instead. Durbar Hall should be used.

“…The monstrously placed statue where the throne used to be and the grand arrangement of food in the hall is insulting and shows disrespect to our heritage and customs, religious practices and rituals,” he said. said
He claimed that there was a plan by the museum authorities to recreate the Durbar Hall with a replica of the Takht/Chaturdala for the purpose of educating the citizens but with this disrespectful attitude we fear the worst and the state of Tripura. The government has been asked to respect the historical honour. Give it space and give it the dignity it deserves.”