Agartala:
The long-standing debate over the script of the Kokborok language, spoken widely by Tripura’s indigenous communities, is set to intensify with two major student organisations — the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) and the Tripura Indigenous Students’ Society (TISS) — announcing a statewide agitation on January 8. The organisations have reiterated their demand for the adoption of the Roman script, describing it as a crucial step toward preserving indigenous identity and ensuring the language’s relevance for future generations.
Leaders of TSF and TISS stressed that the demand for the Roman script is not a recent development but one that has persisted for decades. According to them, the issue goes beyond linguistic convenience and is deeply rooted in cultural identity, historical continuity, and the aspirations of the indigenous youth. They argued that the Roman script would help bridge generational gaps by making Kokborok more accessible to students and young learners.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, student leaders said that the Roman script would significantly simplify learning, publishing, and digital usage of Kokborok. They claimed it would also allow the language to reach a global audience, enabling indigenous communities to share their literature, history, and traditions more effectively. Despite repeated assurances from successive governments, the leaders alleged that no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the issue, leading to growing frustration among indigenous students.
“This is not merely a question of alphabets or scripts. It is about safeguarding our identity and ensuring that our children inherit a language that can thrive in modern times,” a TSF leader said, reflecting the sentiment shared by many in the community.
The organisations pointed to a recent statewide march in support of the Roman script, which witnessed massive participation from students and members of indigenous communities across Tripura. Describing the response as overwhelming, the leaders said it demonstrated the depth of public support for their demand.
Encouraged by the turnout, TSF and TISS announced plans to escalate their movement through coordinated demonstrations, rallies, and mass mobilisation across all districts on January 8. They warned that the agitation would continue until their demand for the Roman script for Kokborok is formally addressed by the authorities.
