IPFT criticises CM’s remarks on Kokborok script

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, February 17, 2026

The Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) on Monday criticised Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha over his recent comments on the script to be used for Kokborok, deepening differences within the ruling alliance.

IPFT general secretary Swapan Debbarma said the choice of script should be decided solely by native speakers of the language and termed the Chief Minister’s remarks “unwarranted”.

“The question of which script suits Kokborok must be settled by those who use the language in their daily lives. It is not necessary for the Chief Minister to comment on every issue,” Debbarma said, adding that there has been no official policy decision by either the BJP or the state government on the matter.

The controversy comes amid renewed political debate over the demand for adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok. In recent speeches, the Chief Minister opposed the use of the Roman script and argued in favour of a script of Indian origin, suggesting that speakers could even develop a separate script.

Debbarma claimed that resistance to the Roman script had previously cost the Left Front political support in the hilly areas and cautioned the ruling party against ignoring public sentiment. He also noted that students appearing for upcoming board examinations are currently allowed to write Kokborok answers in either Roman or Bengali script.

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