Agartala: Mar 18: The Tripura Indigenous Students’ Federation (TISF) recently gathered at the Secondary Education Board to present a deputation demanding the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language in secondary and higher secondary exams. This long-standing demand, the organization stated, has been submitted to the education department multiple times without any action being taken. The students expressed their frustration, accusing the government of disregarding the concerns and sentiments of tribal students.
For years, Kokborok, the language spoken by the indigenous Tripuri people, has been written primarily in the Bengali script. However, the TISF has been advocating for the inclusion of the Roman script, believing it to be more accessible and practical for students, especially in exams. Despite submitting multiple deputations to both the Chief Minister and the Board President, no significant steps have been taken to address the issue.
The students emphasized that the current system is creating undue pressure on Kokborok examinees, who are required to write exclusively in Bengali script, which is not only unfamiliar to many but also feels disconnected from the language’s true essence. The demand for the immediate adoption of the Roman script, they argued, is necessary to ease the examination process and better reflect the language’s cultural identity.
The TISF believes that their call for the Roman script is not merely about linguistic preference, but also about safeguarding the cultural integrity of the indigenous people. They urged the authorities to act swiftly and make the necessary changes, ensuring that the language is represented in a manner that respects both its speakers and their heritage. The organization has vowed to continue its struggle until their demands are met, pressing for an inclusive, practical, and culturally respectful educational policy.
