Agartala, March 20: In a significant move toward resolving the long-standing script issue of Kokborok, ruling BJP alliance Tipra Motha party MLAs are going to raise and pressurize for the five decades old demand for adopting the Roman script in the Budget Session of the Assembly, starting Friday.
This was announced by the party’s founder, Pradyot Kishore Debbarma, after a crucial meeting with party legislators in Agartala on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, Debbarma reaffirmed his stance, stating that adopting the Roman script for Kokborok is the only viable solution. “Today, we have decided that during the upcoming Assembly session, our MLAs will strongly raise this issue. I will personally be present in the visitor’s gallery to ensure that the voices of the Tiprasa community are taken seriously,” he declared.
The script issue has been a contentious subject for over five decades, affecting the indigenous Kokborok-speaking community, particularly students from English background.
Debbarma emphasized that the worst sufferers of this unresolved matter are indigenous students, as it directly impacts their academic and career prospects.
Referring to the recent CBSE examination controversy, he criticized the absence of translators in examination halls. “The Kokborok question paper was published in Bengali script, making it difficult for students from an English background to answer it. If translators had been present, they could have helped bridge this gap,” he pointed out.
Debbarma also revealed that he had previously discussed the issue with Chief Minister Manik Saha. Additionally, he extended his support to student organizations such as the TSF, the TISF, and the YTF, who have been advocating for the Roman script.
The demand for adopting the Roman script for Kokborok has been a longstanding cultural and political debate in Tripura. With Tipra Motha bringing the issue to the Assembly floor, it is expected to ignite discussions on linguistic inclusivity and educational reforms for indigenous students.
