Bidya Debbarma

Who was Bidya Debbarma?

Bidya Chandra Debbarma was a communist politician from the Indian state of Tripura. A prominent leader of the communist movement in Tripura, Debbarma spent a total of nine years in jail and 13 years as an underground activist. A six-time state assembly member and minister in the state government, Debbarma never lost any election he contested.

Debbarma grew up in a tribal farmers family in rural Tripura. He could not continue his schooling beyond class VII. He later joined the Royal Army of Tripura, the armed forces of the then monarchy that ruled Tripura. During the Second World War, Debbarma had protested against the Tripura army helping British forces, and was transferred to administrative non-combatant duties as a disciplinary measure.

When reform-oriented forces organized the Janashiksha Samity in 1945, Debbarma become secretly associated with the movement. He was caught, and interned at Khowai jail where he was subjected to torture. A death sentenced was issued against him by the Tripura government, but never executed.

Debbarma became an organiser of the Janashiksha Samity, and mobilised protest activities against the government of Tripura. He also took part in the founding of the Ganamukti Parishad movement.