Tension runs high in Tripura over script controversy of Kokborok language

Agartala: Tension runs high over the script controversy in writing the upcoming board exams of Madhyamik and HS of Kokborok language, spoken by about 10 lakh tribal population of Tripura.

The opposition CPM stands with TIPRA Motha's student wing TSF, seeking both Bengali and Roman scripts for Kokborok, like another minority language, Mizo.

TSF called for an indefinite National Highway and Railway blockade on Monday, demanding Roman script for the HS and Madhyamik exams in Kokborok scheduled for March 4 and 7, respectively, where about 10,000 students would write papers.

While urging TSF to call off the blockade programme, CPM proposed to hold a peaceful and democratic movement with all sections to compel the government to roll back the decision.

The Chief Minister, Dr. Manik Saha, discussed the matter with senior tribal BJP leaders, but the meeting was inconclusive. However, BJP Spokesperson Subrata Chakraborty on Sunday said it's a policy matter of the government where the party doesn't have any role and mentioned, “We are hopeful the government will come out with a solution because agitation and blockade ahead of the exams will rather jeopardise the students' interest.”

He added that Kokborok does not have a script, and students generally write the paper for the language in the Bengali script. Kokborok-speaking people use Bengali script for communication, and it has been a tradition. The demand for Roman script for Kokborok, especially writing in board exams, might have created problems in holding the exams and evaluating the answer scripts as well.

The problem cropped up with the statement of the President of Tripura Board Secondary Education (TBSE), Dr. Dhananjoy Ganchoudhury, that only Bengali script for Kokborok language would be allowed for the exams, and allegedly he said if any answer script of the language is found in Roman, would face legal complications, which sparked a serious reaction among the tribal.

The TSF leaders protested the statement and demanded to remove Gan Chowdhury from the post of TBSE President and allow Roman script for writing the exams in Kokborok. They alleged that such a statement from any academic authority is considered sedition and highly motivated against a community.

However, Ganchoudhury declined the allegation and said, “I am guided by rules and nothing beyond."Meanwhile, CPM, in a statement on Sunday, said the previous Left Front government had been allowing both Bengali and Roman scripts for writing the exams for the last one and a half decades. The UGC has allowed graduate and post-graduate level exams in Kokborok in Roman script, the statement said.

"This is nothing but a divisive agenda of the RSS," alleged CPM State Secretary Jitendra Chaudhury.

Responding to the controversy, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha claimed, “Some elements were trying to create a ‘riot-like situation' but I advise them to avoid such attempts as their faces are exposed. Don't try to fish in turbid water by creating unrest in the state.”