Agartala, Dec 16:
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha’s recent remarks opposing the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok have triggered a major political and social flashpoint in the state, with tribal student organisations announcing a large-scale protest rally in Agartala on December 18. The controversy has also exposed growing fissures within the BJP-led NDA, as key tribal allies TIPRA Motha and the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) have openly criticised the Chief Minister’s stand.
In a rare show of unity, the Twipra Students Federation (TSF) and the Tipra Indigenous Students’ Federation (TISF) have jointly formed the United Movement Committee on Roman Script. The committee has announced a “muscle rally” from Astabal Ground to Ujjayanta Palace on December 18 evening to protest the state government’s refusal to allow the use of Roman script for Kokborok, including in Tripura Board of Secondary Education and CBSE question papers for Classes X and XII.
Addressing a press conference in Agartala on Tuesday, TSF vice-president and NESO finance secretary John Debbarma said the Chief Minister’s comments had reignited a movement that has continued for more than five decades. “Despite repeated memorandums and agitations, the Chief Minister has clearly stated that his government is against Roman script. This is a rejection of the will of the people,” he alleged, claiming that over 99 per cent of Kokborok speakers favour the Roman script.
Debbarma also criticised the proposal to develop a new script, calling it “unacceptable”, and accused the Chief Minister of double standards by pointing out that BJP-ruled states like Assam and Meghalaya allow Roman script for tribal languages such as Karbi, Dimasa and Garo.
The issue has taken a clear political turn as Roman script remains a core demand of TIPRA Motha and IPFT, both NDA partners. TISF president Sajra Debbarma warned that ignoring indigenous sentiment could hurt the BJP in the upcoming TTAADC elections, urging the government to pass legislation on Roman script to win indigenous confidence.
While maintaining that the movement is non-political and rooted in linguistic and cultural preservation, student leaders cautioned that the Chief Minister’s stance could have serious electoral consequences and appealed for broader social resistance to the statement.
