Chaos in assembly over minister's 'racist' remark against LoP, privilege motion moved

Amidst massive demanding apology from Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath for his alleged racist remarks against Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury and opposition bench walkout from the Assembly on Tuesday.

After a walkout from the House, opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhury moved a privilege motion against Minister Ratan Lal Nath.

Nath had made the comment on Monday when Chaudhury was addressing the House and opposition in his privilege motion to the Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen said that “"Under Rule-173 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Tripura Legislative Assembly, the undersigned intent to lodge a Privilege Motion against Ratan Lal Nath, Member (Hon'ble Minister for Parliamentary Affairs) in regards to the passing of most derogatory and racist remarks as “Jiten Babu Jaten Prichoy Diyechen” (Jiten Babu has demonstrated his tribe), which is not only derogatory and abusive but most racial against himself, his family and his community.”

Chaudhury said that it is a clear breach of privilege which has been committed by the Minister Ratan Lal Nath, while he was discussing the budget of the year 2025-26 at the floor of the House of Monday.

On Tuesday (third day of the budget session of Assembly) after the Question Hour concluded, CPI(M) MLA Shyamal Chakraborty sought an apology from the minister for his remark.

As Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen continued with the proceedings, the CPI(M) MLAs rushed to the Well raising slogans, insisting that he had to apologize.

Nath intervened, claiming that he did not have any intentions to hurt the opposition leader's tribe.

With the speaker not paying heed to the opposition's demand, the CPI(M) MLAs walked out of the House.

Meanwhile, opposition CPI(M) on Tuesday outside the state assembly has organized a mass protest rally in Agartala demanding action against Minister Ratan Lal Nath. CPI(M) also organized similar protest rallies in different parts of the state and claimed that Minister Nath has insulated the entire tribal community of the state and he should render his apology to the people of the state.