Tipra Motha Turns Up Heat on Govt, Rejects CAA,Demands VC Polls
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
- Sep 06, 2025
- 523
In a sharp escalation of its stand, Tipra Motha on Saturday declared that it would “never support” the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), while also mounting fresh pressure on the state government over the long-delayed village council elections in Tripura.
Addressing the media, party MLA Ranjit Debbarma said the extension of the deadline for obtaining citizenship under CAA is “unacceptable” and directly harmful to the interests of Tripura’s indigenous people.
“The fundamental rights of the tribal community are being systematically denied. We cannot remain silent,” he asserted.
Debbarma highlighted how the last village committee elections were held in 2016, while the term of the councils expired in 2021. Citing Covid-19 as an excuse, the government repeatedly postponed elections, even ignoring a Tripura High Court order to complete the polls within six months.
“This is not just a delay, it is an administrative betrayal of the tribals of Tripura,” he alleged.
The Tipra Motha leader credited supremo of the party and MDC Pradyot Kishore Debbarman for taking the issue to the Supreme Court.
Following his writ petition, the apex court has issued a notice to the state government seeking an explanation. “Because of Pradyot’s step, there is hope that the dates for the village council elections will be announced soon,” Debbarma said.
On possible alliances with BJP, he cautious. “If alliances don’t benefit the people, it serve no purpose. Tipra Motha is ready to contest the elections independently if necessary,” he remarked, while refusing to commit on any tie-up with the BJP.
By combining a firm rejection of CAA with renewed demands for democratic rights of tribal bodies, Tipra Motha has once again tried to positioned itself as the uncompromising voice of indigenous Tripura.
Notable that the Government of India has extended the cut-off date for entry under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) to December 31, 2024, offering relief to persecuted minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
A Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 exempts eligible migrants — Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians — from the requirement of holding a valid passport or visa.
The CAA, implemented in 2024, originally granted citizenship eligibility only to those who entered India on or before December 31, 2014. With the extension, individuals who fled religious persecution and entered India up to 2024, even without valid documents or with expired ones, will now be covered.
The move addresses continued cross-border migration of persecuted minorities and is expected to provide significant relief to thousands awaiting regularisation of their status.