Kokborok script dispute sparks political threats, opposition party vows action against education board chief

Tensions rise in Tripura as the Tipra Motha, the leading opposition party, issues a stern ultimatum to the state education board amid a contentious dispute over the use of Kokborok script in upcoming examinations. The crux of the matter revolves around the demand for students to be allowed to write their class 10 and 12 exams in Kokborok language, using either Roman or Bengali script. Kokborok, spoken by nearly a quarter of the northeastern state’s population, lacks a standardized script, leading to its customary representation in Bengali during exams. President of the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE), Dhananjoy Gonchowdhury, insists on the Bengali script citing ease of evaluation for teachers.

However, this stance has drawn vehement opposition from the Tipra Motha, with party leader Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma threatening repercussions if the demand for script flexibility is not met promptly.”Attempting to compel students into using the Bengali script for Kokborok exams is unacceptable,” asserted Debbarma during the party’s third foundation day event. “Mr. Gonchowdhury must reconsider and allow students the option of both Bengali and Roman script within a few days, or face consequences.” This issue has deep-seated historical and cultural significance, with parallels drawn to past language movements in the region. Animesh Debbarma, a senior figure within the Tipra Motha, referenced the language struggle in East Pakistan, which ultimately led to the birth of Bangladesh.

The Kokborok language, spoken by nine sub-tribes of the Borok community, holds pivotal importance, constituting nearly 24% of Tripura’s population. The Tipra Motha has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of indigenous communities, pushing for initiatives such as ‘Greater Tipraland’, which seeks to carve out a separate state for tribal groups encompassing territories across northeastern India and Bangladesh. “In the legislative assembly, our 13 MLAs have consistently raised issues concerning the indigenous Tpirasa people, including the demand for Greater Tipraland and the adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok,” highlighted Debbarma.