The indigenous Borok leaders of Tripura on Saturday cancelled the New Year celebrations on Sunday in protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
Tring, the Tripuri New Year, is observed on December 22 every year and usually celebrated with music, dance, bursting of firecrackers, food and a multitude of activities. Tring is celebrated according to the Tripura calendar, which started in 590AD. The year 2019 was supposed to usher in 1430 Tipra era.
Movement for Kokborok general secretary Binoy Debbarma said they have decided to cancel the state-level Tring festival in protest against the Act. “Since 2004, we are organising the state-level Tring festival. But this year we are not going to celebrate in protest against CAA. However, local committees will organise the festival under our supervision but without any extravaganza,” Debbarma said.
Movement of Kokborok is a joint forum of 26 organisations working on various indigenous aspects, including literature and performing arts. It has organised the Tring festival locally since 1991.
Tripura’s royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Deb Burman also said he would not participate in Tring, Christmas or New Year celebrations.
“When people have been killed and atmosphere between communities divided, when laws are passed without taking our views into consideration, when the very idea of current democracy is no longer tenable, I don’t think I can be selfish and celebrate or participate in any celebration/festival this year — be it Tring, Christmas or New Year. I will not be participating in any programmes as we are all in mourning and there is nothing to celebrate #CitizenshipAmendmentAct,” he wrote on Facebook on Friday.
Amra Bangali, a regional political party, held a protest rally against the Act on Saturday.
“India is burning today against CAA and the NRC (National Register of Citizens). Both of them are anti-democratic, anti-constitutional and anti-people. We had protested earlier and are protesting against it today. We will not agree to NRC or CAA. We shall increase our protest. We demand immediate withdrawal of both these moves or India will burn,” Amra Bangali secretary Harigopal Debnath told reporters.
