Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha recently mentioned in a letter saying "There is no scope to request the CBSE for the use of multiple scripts for preparation of a question paper of Kokborok language." which has caused serious concern among the Kokborok-speaking Tiprasa community, particularly students. 

Kokborok is an Indigenous language of the Tiprasa people. It belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family. It is a widely spoken language in the state of Tripura with over 1.5 million active speakers.

This started in 2022 when CBSE announced that Kokborok was going to be included as an Indian language paper. While the decision saw a positive response from the people it also caused concern whether the committee formed to oversee the inclusion will choose Roman Script for teaching Kokborok in CBSE.

The committee headed by Dr Atul Debbarma first chose the Devanagari script but saw huge opposition and protest from the student groups. Later in 2023, the committee wrote a letter to CBSE recommending Bengali script going against the popular demand of the students.

An incident also occurred on 19th March 2023 in Ampinagar where students appearing in the TBSE Board Exams were forced by the invigilators to write the Kokborok language exam in Bengali script. This prompted the students' community to strongly demand to write Kokborok language papers in Roman Script for any exams.

There was a discussion on the Kokborok Script Issue in the Tripura Legislative Assembly sessions where the Leader of Opposition Animesh Debbarma raised the issue of the Kokborok script and asked the Tripura government to inquire about the report of coercion. Also, there were requests to the Tripura government to write to CBSE to choose Roman Script in setting up question papers for the Kokborok exam.

Despite the efforts by student organizations and groups, the Tripura government did not pay heed to the demands of the common citizens and the most crucial stakeholders, the students. This is why the Kokborok Script issue needs to be discussed and the demand for Roman Script for the Kokborok exam needs to be implemented.

If the issue is not solved, the decision will adversely affect the CBSE student's ability to learn Kokborok properly and shine in the subject. Hence, lend us your voice in this fight for the right to choose our script of choice for the future of our Kokborok-speaking students community’.

October 13, 2022

The Roman Script for Kokborok Choba met the Director of Higher Education, Tripura to discuss the implementation and recommendation of Roman Script for Kokborok subject at the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examinations. RSKC meets Higher Education Director

November 28, 2022

The Tipra Indigenous Students Federation submitted a memorandum in all Sub-Divisional Magistrate offices across Tripura in demand for the use of Roman Script for the Kokborok Language in all examinations. TISF Mass Deputation

Mass Rally Demanding Roman Script for Kokborok

December 6, 2022

A delegation led by TIPRA Motha Chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya met Mrs. Nidhi Chibber, Chairperson of CBSE in New Delhi to discuss the Kokborok Script Issue in examinations and also submitted a memorandum to utilize Roman Script for the language subject. Bubagra Pradyot Meets CBSE ChairPerson

March 17, 2023

TBSE students appearing in the Kokborok exam in Ampinagar Higher Secondary School, Ampi, Gonati and Tipprah Academy High School, Barkathal, West Tripura were forced to write in Bengali script while the students' choice of script was Roman Script.

March 24, 2023

The Twipra Students' Federation (TSF) staged a protest in front of the Tripura Legislative Assembly Gate with the slogan "To Choose Our Script is Our Right" and "No Roman Script No Rest". 

March 28, 2023

TIPRA Motha Legislators at the Tripura Legislative Assembly session took up the Kokborok Script for floor discussion. The 13 Legislators also protested at the assembly floor in demand of Roman Script for Kokborok.

May 9, 2023

A letter written by chief minister Manik Saha to Leader of Opposition Animesh Debbarma was released to the public. A disappointing reply "There is no scope to request the CBSE for use of multiple scripts for preparation of a question paper of Kokborok language" prompted student organizations and civil societies to condemn the chief minister's approach.

May 17, 2023

A delegation led by the Leader of the Opposition of the Tripura Legislative Assembly met chief minister Manik Saha to clarify the Kokborok Script issue. A report including an RTI file on how many Tripura college students opted for Roman Script for the Kokborok exam was submitted.