Agartala: Nov 15: On Friday, the Tripura Student Federation (TSF) staged a protest at the office of the Education Department demanding the implementation of the Kokborok language in Roman script. The protesters blocked the department’s gate and raised slogans, declaring that their movement would continue until their demand was met.
TSF Vice-President Jon Debbarma, present at the protest, explained that indigenous communities have been advocating for the adoption of Kokborok in Roman script for over 40 years. Several memorandums have been submitted to the government, but their demand has yet to be fulfilled. Debbarma emphasized that the government has not clarified the reasons for the delay or the obstacles preventing the implementation. The primary objective of the protest, he stated, was to make the Chief Minister aware of the issue and push for immediate action.
The protesters argued that adopting Kokborok in Roman script would help preserve and promote the language, ensuring its survival for future generations. They also expressed the belief that this initiative would support the cultural and linguistic rights of the indigenous people. The protest highlighted the growing frustration within the community over the lack of progress on this long-standing issue.