Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma has renewed his call for stronger safeguards for the land and constitutional rights of Tripura’s indigenous population, saying that merely remembering Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya is not enough unless his vision for the indigenous people is implemented.

On the occasion of Maharaja Bir Bikram’s birth anniversary, Pradyot said people across Tripura had paid homage to the former monarch by garlanding his statues and offering floral tributes to his portraits. However, he said the occasion should also prompt a serious discussion on whether the principles championed by the Maharaja are being protected today.

Pradyot recalled the land-related measures introduced by Maharaja Bir Bikram in 1940, which, according to him, were intended to prevent indigenous land in tribal areas from being transferred to non-indigenous people.

He said the legal and administrative framework governing land underwent changes after Independence, while the tribal areas were later brought under the Sixth Schedule through the formation of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

According to Pradyot, land remains one of the most important issues affecting the future of indigenous communities. He argued that without secure ownership and access to land, economic development, social stability and long-term security for indigenous families would remain difficult to achieve.

“People remember Maharaja Bir Bikram, celebrate his birth anniversary and speak about his contributions. But the bigger question is: are we actually protecting the vision he had for his people?” Pradyot said.

He also referred to land protection mechanisms in other parts of the Northeast and argued that Tripura should examine ways to provide more effective safeguards to its indigenous population. He raised concerns over land rights and the availability of pattas in areas falling under the Sixth Schedule.

Pradyot said the true tribute to Bir Bikram would be to ensure that no poor indigenous family is pushed into landlessness.

He urged political parties, civil society and the people of Tripura to look beyond ceremonial observances and focus on strengthening land and constitutional protections. Such measures, he said, would help preserve the identity and security of indigenous communities while creating better opportunities for future generations.

Pradyot said his vision remained that of a united and prosperous Tripura where indigenous people could live with dignity, security and assured rights over their traditional lands.