After series of protests, Tripura allows Roman script for Kokborok exam

Agartala: The Tripura government has officially announced that indigenous students can now opt for the Roman script while writing their Kokborok subject in the board exams conducted by the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE).

Transport and Tourism Minister, also serving as the cabinet spokesperson, Sushanta Chowdhury, made the declaration during a press conference. He stated that, in the upcoming TBSE board examinations, students are granted the choice to use either the Roman or Bengali script for their Kokborok papers.

“This decision underscores the state government’s commitment to honoring every language. Every language holds significant importance in the state. While every party has the democratic right to call for a bandh, we believe that a strike is not a solution to any issue. Bandhs create problems for the people. Hence, the state government has submitted an application to withdraw the bandh called by the student body of a political party,” he emphasized.

Minister Chowdhury also pointed out that in recent years, the percentage of candidates using the Roman script in TBSE examinations has remained below two per cent.

“The Chief Minister has already sent a letter to the Chairman of CBSE regarding the Roman font issue. We are awaiting a reply to this letter. We appeal to student organizations that have called for the bandh and those supporting it to withdraw their support, as the status quo will be maintained. Students have shown eagerness to resolve this issue, and it was discussed in the last two Assembly sessions. The Chief Minister, Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, has written a letter to the Chairman of CBSE, and we want to appeal for the withdrawal of the bandh in consideration of these efforts,” he added.