Demand for Roman script: TSF and TISF will hold a torchlight rally across Tripura on December 18

Agartala: The Tipra Indigenous Students Federation (TISF) and the Tipra Students Federation (TSF) on Tuesday announced a statewide torchlight rally on December 18 to press their demand for the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language.

Leaders of both organizations said they would hold torchlight rallies in all districts and subdivisions of Tripura in the evening.

They said the main protest rally would start from Swami Vivekananda Maidan in Agartala and proceed to the State Museum.

The organizations announced the protest in response to recent remarks by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who had advised tribal communities to adopt an Indian script instead of a foreign one.

TISF leader Sajra Debbarma said the organizations have decided to launch a statewide protest to get their long-pending demand fulfilled.

“Through these rallies, we want to send a clear message to both the state and central governments about our sentiments,” Debbarma said.

He alleged that the script issue has been pending for years without any concrete resolution.

Debbarma criticized the state government for its lack of seriousness in addressing the legitimate demand of the tribal communities.

He said that TSF leaders have extended their full support to the movement, and workers from both organizations will participate in the protest unitedly.

Reacting strongly to the Chief Minister’s remarks, Debbarma said the government should act responsibly and focus on resolving the issue.

He said the state has the authority to appoint linguistic experts and take concrete steps to resolve the script issue instead of prolonging discussions.