Tridev Roy

Raja Tridiv Roy was a Pakistani politician, diplomat, and writer who served as the Minister of the Minorities Affairs & Tourism in the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto cabinet. He held the position of the 50th Raja of the Chakma tribe from 2 May 1953 until his abdication in 1971. Throughout his life, he remained a prominent Buddhist religious leader and a dedicated statesman.

Early life and education

Roy was born on 14 May 1933 in the Chakma Rajbari located in Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts, within British India. He was the son of Raja Nalinaksha Roy. His mother, Benita Roy, was the granddaughter of Keshub Chandra Sen, who served as a leading nineteenth century reformer of the Brahmo Samaj in Bengal. Through his maternal lineage, he was related to the classical singer Naina Devi and the actress Sadhana Bose.

On 2 May 1953, he was installed as the 50th hereditary King of the Chakma Circle. The Chittagong Hill Tracts were awarded to Pakistan during the 1947 partition of India, even though many local people favored a union with India. During the 1960s, the construction of the Kaptai Dam flooded approximately 40% of the arable land available to the Chakma people.

Career

In 1970, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman invited Roy to run for Parliament as a member of the Awami League. Roy declined this offer and instead contested the 1970 general election as an independent candidate. He won the election from his constituency in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Following the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, he chose to remain a Pakistani and moved to West Pakistan to avoid potential political persecution. He abdicated his throne in favor of his son, Raja Devasish Roy, during this period of exile.

The Pakistani government appointed him as a federal minister-for-life due to his loyalty during the war. When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became Prime Minister, he offered Roy the presidency of Pakistan. Roy declined the presidency because the 1973 Constitution required the head of state to be a Muslim. He refused to convert from Buddhism to Islam to hold the office, which he described as a "gilded cage."

After Bhutto was overthrown in 1977, the Zia government appointed Roy as the Pakistani Ambassador to Argentina in 1981. He held this role until 1995 while maintaining concurrent accreditation for Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay. He later served as Pakistan's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. After returning to Islamabad in 1996, he led the Pakistan Buddhist Society until his death.

As a writer, Roy published several works including his memoirs, The Departed Melody. This book details the history of the Chakma Rajas and the culture of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. He also authored a Collection of Short Stories, which was translated into Urdu, and a book titled South American Diary.

Personal life

Roy resided in West Pakistan for the remainder of his life after leaving the former East Pakistan. He was married to Arati Roy. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and three sons.

He died from cardiac arrest at his home in Islamabad on 17 September 2012. He was 79 years old at the time of his passing.

Awards and recognition

In 2005, General Srilal Weerasooriya conferred the emblems of the Sri Lanka Ranjana Award upon Roy. This honor was given on behalf of the President for his work supporting Pakistan's Buddhist community. He remains remembered by publications like The Express Tribune as a man who sacrificed his kingdom for his political convictions.