TIPRA Motha Party chief and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma has voiced strong opposition to the Tripura government’s decision to exclude the Roman script from the Kokborok syllabus. Calling the move a “cultural injustice,” Pradyot said the decision threatens the inclusive development of the indigenous language and undermines the preferences of a large section of the tribal population who have used the Roman script for decades.
Pradyot expressed his views while addressing supporters and community leaders at a press interaction held at the party’s headquarters in Agartala. He said the Kokborok language belongs to the people and should not become a victim of political or bureaucratic bias. According to him, the imposition of one script over another risks alienating communities and goes against the linguistic diversity the state has long preserved.
He added that TIPRA Motha remains firmly committed to protecting the linguistic and cultural heritage of the indigenous Tripuri people. The party will continue to demand that the Roman script be recognized alongside other scripts for educational and official purposes. Pradyot urged the state government to engage in dialogue with scholars, language activists, and community elders to arrive at a consensus rather than enforcing unilateral changes.
The issue of the script used for Kokborok has remained a contentious subject in Tripura for several years. While some institutions promote the Devanagari script, many tribal communities—especially those educated under church-led initiatives—have long used the Roman script in schools and churches. Pradyot said the government must understand the historical roots of Roman script usage in tribal areas and consider its role in shaping literacy and identity.
He emphasized that introducing sudden curriculum changes without prior consultation shows disregard for community sentiment. “This is not just about a script. It is about dignity, respect, and the right to preserve one’s language the way it evolved naturally within the community,” he stated.
Kokborok, one of the official languages of Tripura, plays a crucial role in the cultural identity of the indigenous communities. Pradyot warned that ignoring the Roman script could discourage young learners and create confusion in schools where it has been the primary medium for teaching the language. He also called upon educators to resist changes that are not backed by adequate training, materials, or community support.
Several civil society organizations, student unions, and church leaders have already echoed similar concerns. They argue that any decision on script usage should come from linguistic experts and the community, not from top-down government directives. Many have urged the government to adopt a dual-script model, which they say would be inclusive and respectful of existing practices.
Pradyot noted that countries around the world accommodate multiple scripts for regional languages to respect cultural identities. He said Tripura should follow such examples instead of promoting uniformity that may come at the cost of indigenous rights. He reiterated his party’s stance that inclusion and cultural sensitivity must guide educational policies in a multilingual state like Tripura.
The TIPRA Motha chief also warned that if the government refuses to consider the demand for Roman script inclusion, his party will take the matter to court and seek justice through legal channels. He believes this issue reflects a broader pattern of ignoring tribal concerns in governance.
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