Protests Urge Adoption of Roman Script for Kokborok Language

The Tribal Students’ Federation (TSF) has reignited its protest in Tripura, demanding the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language. This ongoing issue has seen the TSF pushing for years for question papers to be made available in both Bengali and Roman scripts. The protests aim to highlight the difficulties students face when required to write exams in Bengali script, despite Kokborok being officially recognized. The movement emphasizes the need for better support and recognition of Kokborok, which is spoken by a significant portion of Tripura's population.

Key Highlights

Protest Details:

• TSF organized a protest in front of the Tripura Secretariat.
• Police detained the protesters and took them to Arundhatinagar Police Ground.
• The protest occurred on the final day of the Tripura Legislative Assembly’s winter session.

Student Challenges:

• The TSF calls for question papers to be provided in both Bengali and Roman scripts.
• Students face pressure to write exams in Bengali script, which is challenging for Kokborok speakers.

Historical Context:

• Kokborok, a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Borok people, was officially recognized in 1979.
• Its historical origins date back to the 1st century AD, and it is spoken by nearly 24% of Tripura’s population, according to the 2011 Census.

Roman Script Demand:

• Advocates believe adopting the Roman script will improve literacy and preserve the cultural identity of Kokborok speakers.
• The demand aims to resolve existing educational challenges and enhance accessibility.

Previous Efforts:

• TSF has been lobbying for this change for years and has engaged with officials, including the Tripura Board of Secondary Education.
• Despite promises of updates before 2025, little progress has been made.

Official Language Status:

• There is also a call for Kokborok to be included in India’s Eighth Schedule of the Constitution as an official language.
• This would increase its use in government, education, and official settings.

Language Background:

• Kokborok belongs to the Bodo–Garo branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, closely related to Bodo and Dimasa.
• The Agartala dialect is the official form of the language.

Current Challenges:

• Despite being an official language, Kokborok faces challenges with resources, recognition, and support.
• The community continues to fight for linguistic rights, educational resources, and broader recognition of Kokborok.