Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha advocates an Indian-origin script for Kokborok amid Roman script protests in Agartala. Government maintains status quo, denies ban, and writes to CBSE as students demand official recognition for Roman script use.
Amid growing protests in Tripura over the script used for Kokborok, Chief Minister Manik Saha has advocated the development of an Indian-origin script for the indigenous language, while clarifying that his government has not issued any directive banning the Roman script.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Saha stated that he was not opposed to the English language but questioned the logic behind using a foreign script for an indigenous language. “I am not against English. Read English, but for an indigenous language why Roman script shall be used — that is the question,” he remarked.
Kokborok, the language spoken by Tripura’s tribal communities, has long been at the center of a debate over which script should be officially adopted. Historically, Kokborok was written in the Bengali script. However, over the years, a section of the community has advocated the use of the Roman script, citing ease of learning and wider acceptance.
Referring to past practices, the Chief Minister said that Kokborok was earlier written in the Bengali script and that other Indian-origin alternatives, including Devanagari, had been proposed. However, he noted that such suggestions were not accepted by certain stakeholders.
“Earlier Bengali script was used. Now if you have an allergy with Bengali, you can stop using it. There was a suggestion that Devanagari could be used. Any Indian-origin script which is deemed favourable you can use, but these suggestions were refused,” Saha said.
He emphasized that Tripura has qualified linguistic experts who are well-versed in Kokborok and capable of developing a suitable script rooted in Indian tradition. According to him, creating a script of Indian origin would instil a sense of pride among future generations.
“We have a lot of linguistic experts in our state who are well versed about the Kokborok language and its use. They can prepare a proper script which shall be at the same time Indian in origin and fit for the language,” he stated.
The Chief Minister also urged the public not to get swayed by emotional debates or political narratives surrounding the script issue. Instead, he appealed for a broader vision that prioritizes cultural identity and long-term societal interest.
“I urge everyone not to get carried away and think about the future generations. The society must feel proud about its script and language,” he added.
Clarifying the government’s official position, Saha categorically denied issuing any directive to prohibit the use of the Roman script. He maintained that the status quo remains unchanged under the Tripura Board of Secondary Education, and students are free to write examinations in Roman script if they choose to do so.
“I haven’t made any directions to ban Roman script. If someone wants, the individual can write his or her exam in Roman script. The status quo is being maintained under Tripura Board of Secondary Education,” he said.
Saha further revealed that he had written to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), requesting permission to allow the use of Roman script in relevant examinations. However, he clarified that the final decision rests with the central board.
“I wrote to CBSE to allow Roman script. Now the decision lies with the CBSE. I can’t control it,” he noted.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come at a time when protests are underway in Agartala, with student organizations demanding official recognition of the Roman script for Kokborok. Demonstrators formed a peaceful human chain in the city, showcasing unity and solidarity in support of their demand.
One protester told media persons that the Roman script is a genuine and long-standing aspiration of the student community. “We have gathered here to show that we are all united for the Roman Script. CM has been saying that we should consider developing an indigenous script. The Chief Minister should understand that Roman Script is a genuine demand from our end and he has an opportunity to do something for us. If the Roman script is recognised, we will be grateful to him from the bottom of our hearts,” the protester said.
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The Kokborok script debate has both cultural and political dimensions, reflecting deeper questions of identity, heritage, and administrative policy in Tripura. While the government maintains that there is no ban and that flexibility continues, the demand for formal recognition of the Roman script remains a sensitive and evolving issue.
As discussions intensify, the future of Kokborok’s script appears poised to shape not only academic policy but also the broader discourse on indigenous identity in Tripura.
