Amit Shah attended the Joint Regional Official Language (Rajbhasha) Conference at the International Fair Ground in Hapania, Agartala, on Friday. Manik Saha joined him at the high-profile event, which drew over 3,000 delegates from eastern, northeastern, and northern states.
The Department of Official Language under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs organised the conference to review the implementation of official language policies across states and union territories.
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Focus on Official Language Policy
Addressing the gathering, Amit Shah stressed the importance of promoting Indian languages alongside Hindi. He urged states to reduce reliance on foreign languages and strengthen communication in mother tongues and regional languages.
He appealed to state governments to ensure official communication in their respective languages while encouraging the wider use of Hindi as a link language to promote national unity. Shah said India’s linguistic diversity should remain a source of strength and integration.
Significantly, the Union Home Minister reiterated the Centre’s support for the use of the Devanagari script for Kokborok. The script issue has sparked intense debate in Tripura, with some tribal organisations and political groups demanding recognition of the Roman script for the indigenous language.
Shah stated that there is no dispute over language or script in Tripura, even as discussions around Kokborok continue in political and social forums.
Political Spotlight on Tipra Motha’s Absence
While the conference focused on language policy, political attention shifted to the absence of representatives from the Tipra Motha Party. Leaders from the opposition Indian National Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) also did not participate.
The absence of Tipra Motha, an alliance partner in the state’s political landscape, has triggered speculation. Observers questioned whether the party deliberately skipped the event or whether the move signals a strategic stance ahead of the upcoming TTAADC elections.
Tipra Motha has consistently raised the Kokborok script issue and advocated for the Roman script. Its absence during a major conference that discussed language policy has intensified debate across Tripura’s political circles. The party did not immediately issue an official statement explaining its non-participation.
Congress Stages Protest
Before Amit Shah’s arrival, the Tripura Pradesh Congress staged a protest against his visit. Party workers displayed black flags at Congress Bhavan and alleged that the Centre was attempting to impose Hindi as a national language.
Congress leaders argued that India’s federal structure must respect linguistic diversity. The protest highlighted opposition concerns about language policy and its political implications in a culturally diverse state like Tripura.
Praise for Tripura Government
During his address, Shah commended the Tripura government for organising the large-scale Rajbhasha conference. He described the event as a significant initiative to strengthen the implementation of official language policies.
Chief Minister Manik Saha welcomed delegates and reiterated the state’s commitment to promoting regional languages while ensuring administrative efficiency.
Language Politics and Identity
Language and identity remain sensitive issues in Tripura’s socio-political landscape. The Kokborok script debate, in particular, has become a focal point of discussion among tribal communities and political parties.
With the TTAADC polls approaching, the developments surrounding the Rajbhasha conference may influence political narratives in the state. Analysts believe the script issue could shape campaign strategies and voter sentiments in tribal-dominated regions.
As discussions continue, the conference has placed Tripura at the centre of a broader debate on language policy, cultural identity, and political strategy. The impact of Amit Shah’s remarks and the absence of key political players will likely remain under scrutiny in the coming days.
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