Tripura's Kokborok Script Controversy: A Call for Indigenous Solutions

Tripura CM Manik Saha urged ABVP to oppose the Roman script demand for the Kokborok language. After protests, he emphasized the need for an indigenous script. He cited the state's commitment to tribal welfare and urged action against youth drug addiction. The government spends 40% of its budget on tribal areas.

In a recent address, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha called on the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) to oppose the move to adopt Roman script for the Kokborok language, the mother tongue of the state's 19 tribes. The student wing's involvement, he stressed, is crucial as the debate over linguistic representation intensifies.

Saha's comments were prompted by a large-scale demonstration where thousands of Kokborok speakers protested to press for the Roman script. He argued that those advocating for this transition are causing unnecessary confusion and emphasized the need for a locally developed script, promising a committee to oversee its selection if necessary.

Highlighting the government's dedication to indigenous welfare, Saha noted that 40% of the state's budget is directed toward upliftment programs in tribal areas. Furthermore, he urged the ABVP to spearhead a campaign against rising drug abuse among tribal youth, emphasizing that the issue is undermining the community's future.

(With inputs from agencies.)