The Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee today has sharply criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological affiliates following controversial remarks made by Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar about Raja Rammohan Roy. 

Speaking at a government-organized event marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda, Parmar reportedly described Raja Rammohan Roy as a “British agent” who aided colonial efforts to convert Hindus—a claim that has drawn widespread backlash.

In a statement issued to the press, Tripura Pradesh Congress spokesperson Prabhir Chakraborty condemned the remarks, calling them an “attack on a revered social reformer who played a historic role in ending the practice of sati.” Chakraborty argued that attempts to discredit Roy were aligned with what he described as long-standing ideological positions of certain groups within the BJP and RSS. He further stressed that Birsa Munda’s struggle was rooted in tribal rights and occurred decades after Roy’s death, making attempts to link the two historically inaccurate.

The Congress statement also pointed to what it termed a pattern of “irresponsible and derogatory comments” by BJP leaders, citing another recent incident involving alleged remarks by a BJP minister in Madhya Pradesh about historical figures. Chakraborty linked these controversies to what he described as a broader decline in women’s safety and empowerment under the current central government.

Referring to a recently released report by the “National Committee on Women’s Protection,” he said the findings indicate that around 40 percent of women in India face insecurity, with the actual figure possibly higher. He added that the National Commission for Women has highlighted concerns over economic vulnerability, job scarcity, and shrinking freedom of movement for women.

Chakraborty asserted that these trends were becoming visible in Tripura as well and called on citizens—particularly women—to recognize what he termed the BJP’s “anti-women and anti-humanist policies.” He reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to opposing such developments and defending constitutional values.