KBSS vows support for Roman Script

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, May 26, 2025

The Kokborok Sahitya Sabha (KBSS), a key literary body in Tripura, has officially adopted a modified Roman script as the standard writing system for the Kokborok language. The announcement was made during the 53rd Annual Conference held at Dasarath Deb Memorial Hall in Suparibagan, Agartala.

Bikashrai Debbarma, Chairman of the KBSS Advisory Committee, said the script is tailored to better match the phonetics of Kokborok. Although based on the Roman alphabet, it includes adaptations to reflect the language’s unique sounds.

Alongside the script adoption, KBSS passed several resolutions. It strongly urged the Tripura government to fully implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, especially its emphasis on mother tongue instruction at the elementary level. Leaders criticised the delay in its execution despite five years since its launch.

The Sabha demanded that Kokborok be made compulsory in all schools from Class I to XII across all education boards. It also proposed the establishment of a Kokborok Academy to guide curriculum development and linguistic research.

Furthermore, KBSS called on agencies like SCERT to publish Kokborok textbooks in both Bengali and the modified Roman script, warning of protests if their demands are ignored. The move is expected to reignite debates over Kokborok’s script.

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