Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on January 27 rejected the demand for introducing the Roman script for the Kokborok language, saying the state government would not allow any step that could weaken indigenous culture and traditions.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in Agartala, Saha said Kokborok is the mother tongue of most indigenous communities in the state and remains central to preserving their cultural identity. He warned that adopting the Roman script would pose a threat to traditional values and linguistic heritage. “We will never allow Roman script for Kokborok as it endangers indigenous traditions and culture,” he said.
The Chief Minister pointed out that Kokborok is spoken by around 19 tribes in Tripura, with nearly 14 lakh people using the language. He called upon tribal intellectuals and language experts to work together to develop a suitable script that would help the language grow and evolve over time. He also clarified that the government has not pushed for the adoption of Bengali or any other script for Kokborok.
Referring to concerns raised by certain groups, Saha said that if the Chakma community could develop its own script, Kokborok-speaking communities should also be able to arrive at a consensus. Prolonged confusion over the script issue, he added, could hamper the language’s progress.
Responding to political criticism, the Chief Minister asserted that the BJP has consistently worked to protect the lives, culture and traditions of indigenous people in Tripura. He said the present government has shown due respect to the Manikya dynasty and has no intention of undermining the state’s historical legacy.
Saha also cited the BJP-led alliance’s performance in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections. He said the alliance secured 18 seats in the 2021 polls and formed the council, while in the most recent elections the BJP won 11 seats and its allies secured nine. According to him, the results reflect growing support for the party in tribal areas.
The Chief Minister noted that the tribal council covers nearly two-thirds of Tripura’s geographical area and said the government would continue to strengthen its engagement with indigenous communities through governance and development initiatives.