Recently members of the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) were detained for protesting at the Tripura Assembly entrance with demand for the inclusion of the Roman script for Kokborok in textbooks, official use  and for upcoming CBSE Board Examinations.

• This demand has been championed by tribal forums like the TSF for decades, emphasizing the need to preserve the cultural identity of Tripura’s indigenous communities.

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About Kokborok

• Language: Spoken by the Borok people in the state of Tripura.
• Etymology:
  • Kok means “verbal.”
  • Borok means “people” or “human.”
• Linguistic Roots:
  • Sino-Tibetan language.
  • Part of the Tibeto-Burman group of languages, with origins in the Sino-Tibetan speech family.
• Recognition: Kokborok has been recognized as the second state language of Tripura, alongside Bengali, since 1979.
• Historical Background:
  • Documented since at least the 1st century AD in the Raj Ratnakar, the historical chronicle of Tripuri kings.
  • Originally written in its own script, Koloma, which became obsolete after the 14th century.
  • By the 19th century, the Bengali script was adopted for Kokborok in the Kingdom of Twipra.

Key Arguments for Roman Script Use

• Identity and Cultural Preservation: Advocates argue that the Roman script better reflects the phonetics of Kokborok and aligns with global linguistic practices.
• Equitable Representation: The current reliance on the Bengali script marginalizes the indigenous community’s linguistic heritage.
• Accessibility: The Roman script is considered more accessible for younger generations and aligns with technological advancements.

Key Argument Against Roman Script Use

• Historical Connection: Critics argue that the Bengali script has been used for centuries and holds historical significance for the region.
• Implementation Challenges: Transitioning to the Roman script would require extensive changes in textbooks, administrative processes, and teacher training.
• Risk of Fragmentation: Introducing a new script could create divisions between different groups within the state, leading to further linguistic and cultural conflicts.

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Ongoing Efforts for Complete Adaptation of Roman Script

• Movements advocating for the Roman script began in 2004, but the government has not addressed the demands despite repeated memoranda and protests.
• Currently a section of tribal students are allowed to write their answer scripts in Roman script in their Madhyamik and HS (+2) exams.
  • The TSF has been demanding the use of only Roman script instead of the partial use of modified Bengali script for a long time
• The TSF continues to push for this change as a matter of cultural pride and identity, emphasizing its importance in preserving Kokborok for future generations.

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