Tripura Minister Kishor Barman Draws Flak for Labeling Media as “Enemy”

On Monday, Tripura’s Minister for Panchayati Raj and Higher Education, Kishor Barman, triggered a controversy after a portion of his speech at a public event went viral on social media. In the speech, Barman described the news media as one of the “enemies” of elected representatives, placing it alongside rivals within one’s own party and the opposition. This remark drew criticism from several journalists and sparked widespread debate.

Barman made these comments while speaking at the inauguration of a two-day capacity-building workshop on Panchayati Raj held at the AD Nagar Panchayat Raj Training Institute. The event was attended by Chief Minister Manik Saha, along with senior state government officials. During his address, Barman outlined the multiple responsibilities of elected leaders and encouraged them to strengthen governance at the grassroots level.

The minister argued that public representatives are bound to face scrutiny once they take office, which naturally leads to the creation of “enemies.” These so-called enemies, he suggested, could come from different quarters—whether from within one’s own political party, the opposition, or even the media. By making this statement, Barman implied that leaders must be prepared for challenges from all sides when serving the people.

Barman stressed that elected representatives shoulder a threefold responsibility—social, political, and administrative. He urged attendees to take the workshop seriously, using it as an opportunity to learn better ways of improving governance and developing stronger connections with their constituents. A key point in his address was the equitable distribution of welfare schemes. He cautioned against individuals or families repeatedly cornering benefits meant for the wider community and emphasized that every household in a village should have access to government support.

In a critical reference to previous governments, Barman alleged that rural schemes were poorly managed in the past, with funds often misused and benefits failing to reach the intended recipients. He claimed that under the current government, such malpractices had been stopped, and welfare schemes were being implemented more effectively.

The minister also spoke about the importance of grassroots performance in ensuring electoral success. According to him, whichever party happens to be in power, the sincerity and dedication of panchayat representatives in serving the people would ultimately determine victory or defeat in elections. He reminded the participants that political power is never permanent, but honest and transparent work leaves behind a lasting legacy and earns lifelong respect from the public.

The workshop itself was designed to promote accountability among elected representatives and encourage them to adopt a more people-centric approach to governance. It aimed at building the capacity of local leaders so they could serve their communities more effectively.

While no formal statement has been issued yet by media organizations, Barman’s remarks about the press being an “enemy” have provoked sharp criticism. Several journalists condemned his comments, viewing them as dismissive and hostile toward the role of the free press in a democracy. The editor of Tripura Public Now, a popular local cable news channel, denounced Barman’s words as “an outcome of the minister’s arrogance,” reflecting the growing backlash against his controversial stance.