Tripura CM Rejects Roman Script for Kokborok, Sparks Debate Over Indigenous Language Education

The debate over which script should be used for Kokborok, an indigenous language spoken by nearly 1.4 million people across 19 tribal communities in Tripura, has intensified as Chief Minister Manik Saha rejected demands to adopt the Roman script.

The Tipra Motha Party and student organizations like the Tipra Indigenous Student Federation and Twipra Student Federation have been advocating for the Roman script, arguing it would make education more accessible for indigenous students. The issue has gained prominence ahead of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council elections, creating tensions between the ruling BJP and its ally, Tipra Motha Party.

Chief Minister Saha expressed concern that adopting a *"foreign script"* could threaten indigenous identity and culture, instead proposing Devanagari or developing a new script. Student groups highlight practical challenges, noting that board examinations currently use Bengali script for Kokborok, which many find difficult.

The controversy remains unresolved despite commissions examining the issue in 1990 and 2004, reflecting broader tensions around tribal identity, education, and cultural preservation in Tripura.