IPFT criticizes Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha over his remarks opposing the Roman script for Kokborok, escalating tensions within the BJP-led alliance amid growing political debate over language identity and script choice in the state’s tribal regions.
Political tensions within Tripura’s ruling alliance intensified on Monday after the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) publicly objected to Chief Minister Manik Saha’s remarks regarding the script of the Kokborok language. The party urged the Chief Minister to refrain from offering what it termed as “unsolicited advice” on matters concerning the mother tongue of indigenous communities.
IPFT General Secretary Swapan Debbarma stated that decisions regarding the script of Kokborok should be left solely to the speakers and practitioners of the language. He emphasized that linguistic and cultural issues must be resolved by those who use the language in their daily lives, rather than by individuals who are not directly associated with it.
“The Chief Minister’s mother tongue is Bengali. He should refrain from making unnecessary statements on this issue. The choice of script for Kokborok must be decided by those who practice and preserve the language. Any external opinion without adequate knowledge may be viewed as interference,” Debbarma asserted.
The controversy comes at a time when differences have surfaced within the ruling coalition, particularly involving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), IPFT, and Tipra Motha Party. The debate centers around the long-standing demand for the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok, the language widely spoken among Tripura’s indigenous tribal communities.
In recent political speeches, Chief Minister Saha reportedly criticized the use of the Roman script for Kokborok, advocating instead for an Indian-origin script. He even suggested that Kokborok speakers could consider developing a new indigenous script rather than adopting what he described as a foreign one. His comments have triggered concern among sections of tribal political leadership, who view the Roman script as a practical and established medium for education and communication.
Debbarma reminded the ruling BJP of the political consequences faced by previous governments over the script issue. Referring to the electoral decline of the Left in Tripura’s hill regions, he said that opposition to the Roman script without strong justification had contributed to political losses in tribal-dominated areas.
“Political power is not permanent,” Debbarma cautioned, indicating that disregarding the sentiments of indigenous communities could have electoral repercussions. He argued that linguistic identity is closely tied to cultural and political empowerment in the state’s tribal belt.
However, Debbarma also clarified that no formal government policy has been issued against the Roman script so far. He suggested that the Chief Minister’s remarks might represent a personal viewpoint rather than an official stance of the government or the BJP.
“As of now, neither the BJP nor the state government has released any written policy decision regarding the Kokborok script. In the upcoming board examinations, students remain free to write their answers in both Roman and Bengali scripts,” he said.
The script debate has long been a sensitive issue in Tripura. Kokborok has historically been written in both Roman and Bengali scripts, with different political groups advocating for one over the other. For many indigenous leaders, the Roman script symbolizes modernization, wider accessibility, and a sense of distinct identity. Others argue that an Indian-origin script would better align with national integration.
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Observers note that the renewed debate reflects deeper political undercurrents within the alliance government. While coalition partners share administrative responsibilities, differences over cultural and identity issues often surface during politically charged periods.
As board examinations approach and political rhetoric intensifies, the script controversy may continue to shape discussions in Tripura’s tribal regions. Whether the ruling alliance can reconcile its internal differences without alienating key voter bases remains to be seen.
