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BJP Ally IPFT Joins Script Row, Intensifies Demand for Roman Script for Kokborok

The Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), a BJP ally, has announced it will intensify its agitation demanding the Roman script for the tribal Kokborok language, joining a similar push by the Tipra Motha Party (TMP). This puts them at odds with Chief Minister Manik Saha, who has publicly opposed the Roman script, arguing for the development of an indigenous script to preserve tribal culture. Kokborok is the mother tongue of nine tribal communities and was granted the status of the second official language in Tripura in 1979. The political disagreement highlights a significant cultural and linguistic issue, with nearly a quarter of the state's population speaking the language.

Key Points: BJP Ally IPFT Intensifies Agitation for Roman Script for Kokborok

  • IPFT to intensify agitation for Roman script
  • CM Saha opposes Roman script, favors indigenous one
  • Kokborok is second official language in Tripura
  • Language spoken by nearly 24% of state's population
3 min read

After TMP, another BJP ally to intensify stir for Roman script for tribal 'Kokborok' language

IPFT joins TMP in demanding Roman script for Tripura's tribal Kokborok language, challenging CM Manik Saha's stance and escalating political tensions.

"Chief Minister Manik Saha's mother tongue is Bengali. He should avoid issuing needless statements on this matter. - Swapan Debbarma"

Agartala, Feb 16

After the Tipra Motha Party, another ally of the ruling BJP, the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura, on Monday announced that it would intensify its agitation demanding the introduction of the Roman script for the tribal 'Kokborok' language.

The TMP and the IPFT are both tribal-based parties and junior partners of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Tripura. Announcing the plan to step up the agitation, IPFT General Secretary Swapan Debbarma said that the choice of script for the tribal Kokborok language should rest solely with the indigenous people.

The IPFT leader's announcement comes amid growing political differences between the TMP and the BJP over the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok.

"Chief Minister Manik Saha's mother tongue is Bengali. He should avoid issuing needless statements on this matter. This may be his personal statement, not that of the BJP or the government," Debbarma told the media.

He said that the question of which script best suits the Kokborok language must be settled by those who use the language in their everyday lives.

In recent political speeches, the Chief Minister on several occasions has opposed the use of the Roman script for Kokborok and argued in favour of developing an indigenous script.

Kokborok is the mother tongue of nine of the 19 tribal communities residing in Tripura.

"Tribal intellectuals and linguistic experts can mutually decide a suitable script for Kokborok, but not the Roman script. If the Roman script is adopted, the younger generation of the tribal community may completely forget their traditions, customs and culture," the Chief Minister had said.

He added that if the Chakma community could develop its own script, there was no reason for Kokborok-speaking people to lag behind. "The younger generation is being confused by repeatedly raising the demand for the Roman script for Kokborok," Saha said. Meanwhile, the BJP's ally TMP has been agitating for the past many months for the introduction of the Roman script for the Kokborok language.

A TMP leader said that Kokborok, belonging to the Tibeto-Burman language family, is closely related to other languages of the northeastern region, such as Bodo, Garo and Dimasa.

According to the 2011 Census, Kokborok is spoken by 8,80,537 people in Tripura, accounting for 23.97 per cent of the state's total population of around 42 lakh.

It is the mother tongue of nine of the 19 tribal communities in the state. There are nine major Kokborok clans -- Tripura, Debbarma, Jamatia, Noatia, Murasingh, Reang, Kalai, Rupini and Uchowi.

Since 1988, two commissions headed by tribal leader Shyama Charan Tripura and noted linguist and academician Pabitra Sarkar have been constituted to examine the issue.

Kokborok was accorded the status of the second official language on January 19, 1979, by the then CPI(M)-led Left Front government, and January 19 is observed annually to commemorate the historic recognition.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The Roman script is more accessible globally and for the younger generation. If the goal is to keep Kokborok alive, making it easier to learn and type on phones/computers is key. The Chakma example is good, but practicality matters too. 🤔
A
Arjun K
Interesting to see allies within NDA having such public disagreements. IPFT and TMP are right to push for what their constituents want. Language is identity. The government should facilitate, not dictate, this decision.
P
Priya S
As a linguist, I find the CM's fear that Roman script will erase culture unfounded. Script is a tool. Culture is preserved through usage, stories, and education. Many Indian languages use multiple scripts. The focus should be on promoting the language itself.
D
David E
Watching from abroad, India's linguistic diversity is amazing. The Roman script argument makes sense for digital integration. But the emotional connection to a native script is also powerful. Hope a solution comes from consensus, not conflict.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, the Chief Minister's personal linguistic background shouldn't be the focus. The issue is about 8.8 lakh people's mother tongue. Form another commission with genuine tribal representatives and linguists and accept their recommendation. Jai Hind.

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