TIPRA Women Federation Launches Protest Against Tripura Govt’s Plan To Turn Royal Palace Into Hotel

TWF central president Monihar Debbarma said, there are many other locations to build a hotel, so why target Pushpabanta Palace?

The TIPRA Women Federation (TWF), the women’s wing of TIPRA Motha, launched a sit-in protest today against Tripura government’s proposal to hand over the historic Pushpabanta Palace to the Taj Group of Hotels for conversion into a five-star establishment.

The protest took place in the Circuit House area, with demonstrators blocking the VIP road and condemning the move as a threat to the cultural and historical identity of the Tiprasa people.

Former Minister Mevar Kumar Jamatia, TTAADC chairman Jagadish Debbarma, MLA Swapna Debbarma, and former MLA Rajeshwar Debbarma also joined the protest and all of them expressed solidarity with the protesters.

TWF leaders, including party central president Monihar Debbarma, West district president Gita Debbarma, and Gomati district president Dolly Reang, who also serves as an Executive Member of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), voiced strong opposition to the proposal.

The TWF leaders called on Chief Minister Manik Saha and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury to reconsider the project, urging them to preserve the palace’s legacy by transforming it into a library dedicated to Maharaja Birendra Kishore, who built the iconic structure in 1917.

They emphasized that such a move would honour the historical significance of the palace while promoting education.

Monihar Debbarma said, “There are many other locations to build a hotel, so why target Pushpabanta Palace? We have no objection to converting it into a library or museum, but not a hotel. That would erase our king’s legacy. Pushpabanta Palace should remain Pushpabanta Palace.”

In response, Chief Minister Manik Saha assured the public that no final decision has been made yet. He clarified that the palace would not be demolished, and ongoing retrofitting work aims to protect its structure.

However, tribal organizations affiliated with TIPRA Motha remain skeptical, regarding the proposal as a threat to their cultural heritage.

Earlier in the day, TIPRA Motha founder and Tripura’s royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma has called for inclusive discussions involving all stakeholders before any decision is finalized. He said that such a significant issue requires dialogue and cooperation, urging the government to set aside egos and prioritize consensus.

“I am hopeful that the government will invite me for talks. Ego must not come in the way of resolving such an important matter,” he said.

Earlier last week, Tipra Students’ Federation (TSF) and the Youth TIPRA Federation (YTF) also staged protests opposing the government’s decision.

The YTF even raised serious questions about the state’s ability to manage its historical monuments.

The palace, built in 1917 by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Debbarman Bahad, has long been a symbol of the state’s royal history. It served as the Governor’s House until 2018 before being earmarked for conversion into the Maharaj Birendra Kishore Manikya Museum and Cultural Centre.

However, recent reports have suggested that part of the palace may now be handed over to the TAJ Group, a luxury hotel chain, to be converted into a five-star hotel.

The issue has sparked a larger debate on the balance between development and heritage preservation, with many citizens and cultural organizations calling for the state government to rethink its decision.

Also Read: Row Over Pushpabanta Palace Intensifies, Royal Scion Calls for Stakeholder Talks

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