𝐊𝐨𝐤𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐤 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝

The 48th Kokborok Language Day rally in Tripura witnessed tension on January 19 after indigenous students’ organisations protested over their long-pending demand for the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language.

The rally, which began in front of Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan, saw participation from students, teachers, and representatives of various schools and social organisations. It was led by MLA Rampada Jamatia and former MLA Dr Atul Debbarma, who also serves as convener of the Script Selection Committee for the development of the Kokborok language.

Soon after the rally commenced, members of the Twipra Students Federation (TSF) and Tipra Indigenous Students Federation (TISF) reached the venue and raised slogans demanding the introduction of the Roman script. The protesters alleged that successive governments had ignored the collective voice of the indigenous community on the script issue.

Police intervened to stop the demonstration, citing disruption of the official programme.

Speaking to the media, TSF Vice President John Debbarma said that while the government was officially observing Kokborok Language Day, it was failing to address the core aspirations of the Tiprasa people. He said the protest was meant to convey that the community would not remain silent about its rights, stressing that the script issue has remained unresolved despite repeated demands. He added that the government must respect the language and honour the demand for the Roman script.

The Kokborok script issue has remained a sensitive and unresolved subject for decades in Tripura, frequently triggering protests and political debate across the state.