Agartala, July 16 -- A political firestorm erupted in Tripura's Agartala after a video of CPI-M leader and former MP Sankar Prasad Datta went viral on social media, drawing criticism for remarks many perceived as offensive toward Lord Hanuman.

The controversy began after Datta addressed a state-level conference of the Tripura Motor Sramik Union (TMSU), where he allegedly referred to Lord Hanuman using the word "Shandamarka", a Bengali slang term that literally means "dumb-headed muscular man."

In his speech, Datta questioned why motor workers displayed portraits of the deity, claiming they did so to appease leaders of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).

His remarks sparked strong backlash from right-wing groups, who accused Datta of del...