AGARTALA, Nov 22: Tripura opposition leader Animesh
Debbarma on Tuesday said his party, the Tipra Motha, will
vehemently oppose any move to delist tribals from Scheduled
Tribe (ST) status.
Debbarma’s remark comes in the wake of the proposed
‘delisting rally’ by the Janajati Suraksha Manch, a wing of RSS-
affiliated Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, demanding withdrawal of ST
status of tribals who converted to Christianity.
The manch’s rally is scheduled to be held at Swami
Vivekananda ground here on Christmas, December 25.
“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 will 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. (PTI)
