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Tripura CM Rejects Roman Script for Kokborok, Citing Cultural Preservation

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has firmly rejected the Tipra Motha Party's demand to introduce the Roman script for the tribal Kokborok language. He argued that adopting a foreign script could lead the younger generation to forget their tribal traditions and culture. The political stance comes months ahead of elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council. The BJP's ally, TMP, continues to agitate for the script change, while past commissions have examined the issue.

Key Points: Tripura CM Rejects Roman Script for Tribal Kokborok Language

  • CM rejects Roman script for Kokborok
  • Issue gains significance ahead of tribal council polls
  • BJP emphasizes cultural preservation
  • TMP agitates for script change
  • Script commissions formed in past
2 min read

Tripura CM rejects TMP's demand for Roman script for tribal Kokborok language

Tripura CM Manik Saha rejects TMP's demand for Roman script for Kokborok, emphasizing cultural preservation ahead of tribal council elections.

"If the Roman script is adopted, the younger generation... may completely forget their traditions, customs, and culture. - Chief Minister Manik Saha"

Agartala, Jan 27

In a significant political development, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday rejected the Tipra Motha Party's demand to introduce the Roman script for the tribal Kokborok language, the mother tongue of nine of the 19 tribal communities residing in the state.

The Chief Minister's rejection of the demand assumes significance months ahead of the elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

Addressing a gathering of tribal people at Jolaibari in South Tripura, Saha said that the BJP government is not in favour of adopting any foreign script for the Kokborok language.

"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 said.

He added that if the Chakma community could develop its own script, there was no reason for Kokborok-speaking people to lag.

"The younger generation is being confused by repeatedly raising the demand for the Roman script for Kokborok," Saha said.

Claiming that only the BJP could ensure the holistic development of indigenous people, the Chief Minister said his government has taken several steps to promote their economic well-being, culture, and traditions, including initiatives to honour the Manikya dynasty.

"Our party organisation has further strengthened in tribal areas in recent months. The BJP does not impose force in the electoral process; instead, it seeks to win the hearts of voters through performance," he said.

Meanwhile, the BJP's ally and tribal-based party TMP has been agitating for the introduction of the Roman script for Kokborok.

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.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Language is the soul of a culture. While practicality is important, adopting a foreign script can indeed dilute indigenous identity over generations. The suggestion for tribal intellectuals to decide is the right approach. Let the experts from the community lead this discussion.
R
Rohit P
Feels like this is more about politics before the TTAADC elections than about language preservation. Both BJP and TMP are playing to their vote banks. The real focus should be on promoting Kokborok in education and daily use, regardless of the script.
S
Sarah B
As someone from outside India, it's fascinating to see this debate. Many languages around the world use the Roman script without losing their cultural essence. But I understand the unique context here in India with its incredible linguistic diversity that needs protection.
V
Vikram M
The Chakma example given by the CM is important. If one community can develop its own script, why not Kokborok? It would be a true symbol of self-reliance and cultural pride. 🇮🇳 We should support indigenous solutions for indigenous problems.
K
Kavya N
With nearly 9 lakh speakers, Kokborok deserves serious attention. The article mentions two commissions since 1988! That's over 30 years of discussion. How much longer will it take? The youth need a standardized script to learn their mother tongue properly. This delay is hurting preservation efforts.
M
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