Tripura CM: No change in government’s stand on Kokborok script
Agartala: A day after a delegation of Tipra Motha leaders met Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and submitted a demand draft seeking official approval for the use of the Roman script for the Kokborok language, the Chief Minister said that although the discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere, there was “no change in the government’s stance”.
Speaking to media persons during a blanket distribution event, Saha said, “Leaders from our alliance partner came for a meeting on Thursday. They brought a demand draft, which was placed before me. They have clearly stated their position, and I have also elaborated on our stand. Their demand mainly concerns the Kokborok script, and I have made the government’s position on the issue clear.”
According to the Chief Minister, the discussions took place in a cordial setting. However, tension has been spiralling between the alliance partners, the BJP and Tipra Motha, over the Kokborok script issue.
Tipra Motha, led by Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarman, has been advocating the official use of the Roman script as a writing medium for Kokborok, the most widely spoken indigenous language in Tripura. Several protests and demonstrations have been organised in the past with this single-point agenda.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Manik Saha has categorically stated in the past that indigenous communities should adopt an Indian script for the language so that it can receive constitutional recognition under the Eighth Schedule.
Sources in Tipra Motha said that the party leaders were considering writing to officials of the Tripura Board of Secondary Education and the Central Board of Secondary Education on the issue.
