Conference of Tripura Nath Yogi Forum: 19-point Demands for Socioeconomic Reforms Raised
In an interesting development, the North District Committee of the Tripura Nath Yogi Forum held its first one-day conference at Panisagar on Friday. The event took place at the Deochhara Netaji Subhas Bose Community Hall and saw the participation of nearly 400 delegates from across the district. The conference was inaugurated by Forum’s state president, Harihar Debnath, with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, setting the tone for an intense discussion on the rights and demands of the Nath Yogi community.
Amarnath Debnath, the general secretary of the state committee, delivered the welcome address, laying out the key objectives of the Forum’s efforts. Prominent lawyers, Rishikesh Debnath and Kulendra Debnath, also addressed the gathering, lending their voices to the community’s cause. Their presence underscored the legal aspects of the Forum’s demands and the need for a more organized approach to securing constitutional rights.
Nineteen-Point Demands for Reform
In his keynote address, Harihar Debnath spoke in detail about the nineteen-point charter of demands presented by the Nath Yogi Forum. Central to his speech was the assertion that despite constitutional provisions for socioeconomic development, the Nath Yogi community - numbering approximately 14 lakh people in Tripura - has been systematically deprived of these opportunities even after 75 years of independence.
The demands included a broad range of socioeconomic reforms aimed at securing the community’s future, such as:
- Establishing burial grounds in every gram panchayat, nagar panchayat, and municipal area under government management.
- Recovering donated land occupied in various neighborhoods and officially designating it as burial grounds.
- Formation of a Nath Yogi Development Board to focus on the community’s socioeconomic progress.
- Construction of guest houses in Agartala and Nath Yogi hostels in different subdivisions to assist community members.
- Free housing for BPL families and land grants to landless families.
- Increasing the student stipend to Rs 5,000 per month along with enhanced scholarships and one-time financial aid.
- Establishment of a Nath Darshan literature academy and research center to promote the history and culture of the Yogi community.
- Inclusion of Nath Yogi history in school textbooks to create awareness among younger generations.
- Declaring the birth anniversary of Shri Shri Gaurkshanath as a public holiday.
- Streamlining the OBC certification process and eliminating the issuance of fake certificates, along with introducing separate reservations for the Nath Yogi community in national exams, medical colleges, and universities.
Urgent Need for Government Action
One of the most pressing issues raised during the conference was the lack of burial grounds for the Nath Yogi community, which has forced many families to cremate their dead against traditional customs. Harihar Debnath emphasized that this practice has been an integral part of the Nath Yogi community since ancient times, and it must be protected for future generations.
“We have carried this tradition since human creation, and it is a part of our identity. It’s imperative that we safeguard this for our future,” he said, calling on the government to recognize and address their longstanding grievances.
His speech also focused on the broader need for the Nath Yogi community to unite and strengthen the organization in every neighborhood to secure a better future for the next generation. He appealed to the government to take immediate action in addressing the demands laid out by the Forum.
A Resounding Response from the Community
The conference, which generated widespread interest among the Nath Yogi community, marks a pivotal moment in the struggle for recognition and socioeconomic upliftment at this juncture. The president and other leaders of the Nath Yogi community also called upon the youths to strengthen organization at hamlet-level and raise voice to protect and preserve the tradition of the community.
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