The opposition party in Tripura will strongly protest if any attempt to delist the converted tribals from their Scheduled Caste (ST) status, who are religiously believers of Christianity.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, leader of opposition Animesh Debbarma at his official chamber at Tripura Assembly House referring a demand of a RSS backed tribal body, “Janjati Suraksha Manch (JSM), Tripura Chapter, who were raised their demand before the central and state governments to delist the ST status to those people who have converted their religion and became followers of Christianity, Debbarma said that he heard that Manch will organize rally  at Swami Vivekananda ground in Agartala on Christmas, December 25 next and they have also sought permission from the state government to organize the said rally.

He said that the entire world along with the people of Tripura celebrate the day of Christmass and the government should not allow the JSM to organize such a rally in Tripura.

He added that the reservation was not implemented on the basis of religion or colour and their party Tipra-Motha  will oppose the rally and launch a massive campaign across the state.

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

Debbarma, mentioning his recent meeting with Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said that he has raised 14 issues related to the interest of the state's people and are now hoping for positive steps from the Chief Minister.

While castigating the functioning of the present BJP-IPFT government, Debbarma alleged that in the administration there are lots of disparities and talented ST officers are being deprived from their legitimate rights and given assignments to less important positions in comparison to their official status.

He also raised issues related to the massive unemployment problems of the state and no jobs in rural areas under MGNREGA.

Debbarma also strongly condemned the recent step of the state  Assembly , which is now considering implementation of a new rule that would restrict members from raising questions on subjects that are three years or older.

Recently, the Rules Committee, led by the Speaker, convened a meeting to deliberate on the proposal.

Debbarma alleged that it’s an attempt to hide the corrupt practices of the government and to stop the opposition MLAs from raising questions related to old corruption cases of the government. He said that democracy never permits such practices and they will strongly protest inside the assembly if such a decision has been taken by the Tripura Assembly. Debbarma argued that such a rule would curtail the right to address significant issues that have transpired three years or more ago.

Debbarma also alleged that the functioning of the administration has been deteriorating day by day due to a section of bureaucrats and the Chief Minister should look into such matters for the welfare of the state's people.