Tripura’s political landscape heated up as Chief Minister Manik Saha categorically rejected the demand from ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) to introduce Roman script for Kokborok, the mother tongue of nearly half of the state’s 19 tribal communities.
Addressing a large tribal audience in Jolaibari, Saha made it clear: no foreign scripts for Kokborok under BJP rule. He urged tribal scholars to forge consensus on an appropriate local script instead.
‘Roman script would erode our youth’s connection to age-old traditions and customs,’ the CM cautioned, drawing parallels with the Chakma tribe’s self-developed writing system.
Saha slammed the persistent Roman script campaign as a ploy to mislead young tribals. He touted BJP’s track record in holistic indigenous development—from economic empowerment to safeguarding culture and reviving royal legacies like the Manikya dynasty.
‘Our party has bolstered its presence in tribal belts organically, relying on governance merits rather than force in elections,’ he asserted.
As TTAADC polls loom, TMP’s script agitation highlights deepening rifts. Kokborok, part of the Tibeto-Burman family, shares linguistic ties with regional languages like Bodo and Garo, fueling debates on standardization and identity.
Saha’s position reinforces BJP’s commitment to cultural autonomy while navigating alliance dynamics in Tripura’s diverse tribal heartlands.