Students Form Human Chains Across Tripura Demanding Roman Script for Kokborok

 Thousands of students and indigenous youths on Friday formed human chains across several parts of Tripura, intensifying their demand for the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language. The coordinated protests were held simultaneously at multiple locations, including Agartala, Khowai, Teliamura, Amarpur, Sonamura and Ambassa, drawing wide participation from Kokborok-speaking communities.
The demonstrations were organised under the banner of the United Movement Committee for Roman Script, a joint platform of indigenous student bodies such as the Twipra Students’ Federation and the Tipra Indigenous Students’ Federation. Protesters held placards and raised slogans demanding that the Roman script be officially recognised for Kokborok in school education, competitive examinations and government use, arguing that it is more learner-friendly and better suited to the language’s phonetics.
Student leaders said the continued use of other scripts has created confusion and placed Kokborok-speaking students at a disadvantage. They urged the state government to respect the democratic aspirations of indigenous communities and take an inclusive decision that reflects ground realities. “The Roman script is already widely used by students and writers. Recognising it officially will help standardise teaching and preserve the language,” organisers said.
The protests come amid the Tripura government’s firm opposition to the demand. Chief Minister Manik Saha has earlier stated that the adoption of the Roman script would not be accepted, describing it as a “foreign script” and suggesting the need to promote an indigenous alternative instead. His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from student bodies, who say the issue should be decided through dialogue with stakeholders rather than unilateral statements.
The debate over the script for Kokborok is a long-standing and sensitive issue in Tripura, closely linked to questions of identity, access to education and cultural rights. With fresh protests erupting across the state, student organisations have warned that the agitation will be intensified if the government fails to reconsider its stand and engage meaningfully with the community’s demand.