Agartala, February 5, 2024: The Tripura Student Federation staged a protest in front of the Tripura Board of Secondary Education, voicing their demand for students to have the option of writing the Kokborok language exam in Roman script.
This longstanding movement, spanning several decades, intensified recently when Dr. Dhananjay Ganchowdhury, Chairman of the Tripura Board of Secondary Education, advocated for conducting the Kokborok language exam in Bengali. In contrast, BJP leader Atul Debbarma insisted that students should write the exam in Bengali.
The protesters likened Atul Debbarma to the mythological character Vibhishana, labeling him an adversary of the community’s linguistic rights. Their unwavering stance led to a prolonged demonstration outside the Tripura Board of Secondary Education, drawing attention from local authorities.
As the examination looms, students find themselves caught in the crossfire of conflicting organizational campaigns. The Board must swiftly address this critical situation to safeguard the students’ future. While the Chairman acknowledges the practicality of evaluating answer sheets if the Kokborok exam is conducted in Bengali, he remains open to considering diverse perspectives before making a final decision.
