Tripura Opposition Leader Jitendra Chaudhury slams Amit Shah’s Nagari script push, calling it cultural domination over Northeast languages. CPIM leader warns against forced Devanagari adoption, reigniting debate over linguistic identity and constitutional language rights in the region.
A fresh political controversy has erupted in Tripura after Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury sharply criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his reported remarks advocating the adoption of the Nagari script for regional languages.
Speaking at the office of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) during the observance of International Mother Language Day on Saturday, Chaudhury described the proposal as a direct assault on the cultural and linguistic identity of the Northeast. He warned that compelling nearly 40 languages in the region to adopt the Devanagari script would amount to cultural domination rather than linguistic reform.
Chaudhury stated that the choice of script is an intrinsic part of a community’s identity and heritage. “Forcing a script upon people is nothing but an attack on linguistic diversity,” he said, adding that the decision regarding script usage must remain with the speakers of each language. He accused the Union Home Minister of promoting what he described as an ideologically driven mindset, alleging that such moves undermine India’s pluralistic fabric.
The controversy follows Shah’s inauguration of the Eastern, North Eastern, and Northern Regional Rajbhasha Sammelan at Hapania. During the event, Shah reportedly emphasized the importance of promoting Indian languages and scripts, with references to the wider adoption of Nagari. His remarks have since triggered intense political debate in Tripura and across parts of the Northeast.
Chaudhury reminded reporters that during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, he had served on the official languages committee. Drawing from that experience, he stressed that India’s linguistic framework is constitutionally protected and built upon the principle of voluntary adoption rather than imposition. He argued that any attempt to standardize scripts across culturally diverse regions risks alienating communities and eroding trust.
The Northeast is home to a rich mosaic of languages, many of which use Roman or indigenous scripts. For several tribal and regional communities, script is closely tied to historical memory, literature, and identity. Political observers note that language debates in the region have historically been sensitive and emotionally charged, often intersecting with issues of autonomy and cultural preservation.
Chaudhury asserted that International Mother Language Day was a symbolic occasion to reaffirm commitment to linguistic freedom. “Communities must retain full freedom over their mother tongues, including the right to decide their own script,” he said. He further argued that linguistic unity cannot be achieved through uniformity, but through respect for diversity.
The issue has now moved to the forefront of Tripura’s political discourse, with opposition parties framing it as a question of constitutional rights and federal balance. While supporters of script standardization argue it may facilitate administrative convenience and educational integration, critics insist that cultural identity should not be compromised for policy uniformity.
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As the debate intensifies, language rights have once again emerged as a central theme in the Northeast’s political landscape. Whether the controversy will translate into broader national discussion on script and language policy remains to be seen, but in Tripura, it has clearly struck a powerful chord.
