Agartala, February 14, 2026: Thousands of people across Tripura participated in coordinated human chain demonstrations on Saturday, demanding the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok (Kaubru) language. The protests, organised at multiple locations across the state, reflected the continuing debate over the script to be used for one of Tripura’s most widely spoken indigenous languages.
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| Protesters gather in Tripura during a human chain demonstration demanding adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok in board examinations. (Image: Special Arrangement) |
The demonstrations were organised under the banner of the United Movement Committee for Roman Script (UMCRS), with support from the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) and the Tripura Indigenous Students’ Federation (TISF). Organisers said the protests were intended to highlight the aspirations of indigenous communities and draw attention to their long-standing demand for the use of the Roman script in educational and official contexts.
Human chains were formed simultaneously at more than ten locations, including Agartala, Killa, Amarpur, Sonamura, Teliamura, Ambasa, Khowai, Manu, South Tripura, Gandatwisa and Bishramganj. Participants included students, community leaders, women, youth organisations and supporters of the Roman script movement.
Holding placards and banners, protesters stood in silent lines along roadsides and public spaces, describing the demonstrations as a peaceful expression of cultural identity, linguistic rights and educational concerns. Organisers stated that the primary demand of the movement is for question papers of Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations conducted by the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to be made available in the Roman script for Kokborok.
The issue of the Kokborok script has remained a matter of debate in Tripura for decades. While one section advocates the use of the Roman script, another supports the Bengali script for educational and official purposes. The disagreement has periodically sparked public campaigns, protests and political discussions.
Supporters of the Roman script argue that it more accurately represents the phonetic structure and pronunciation of Kokborok and is already widely used by a significant section of the language community. They contend that adopting the Roman script in examinations and educational materials would make learning easier for students and help preserve the linguistic characteristics of the language.
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| Women protesters join a human chain in Tripura demanding adoption of the Roman script for Kokborok during a peaceful statewide demonstration. (Image: Special Arrangement) |
During the demonstrations, leaders of the movement reiterated their position that the Roman script is closely linked to the cultural and linguistic aspirations of indigenous communities. They also criticised recent remarks made by Chief Minister Manik Saha, alleging that suggestions linking the adoption of a “non-Indian” script to constitutional complications under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution were misleading.
Movement leaders argued that there is no explicit constitutional provision restricting the use of a particular script for a recognised language and maintained that script selection should be based on the preferences and practical needs of language users.
Participants at various locations called upon the state government and educational authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue on the issue and take steps to address the concerns raised by the indigenous community. Many protesters said the demand is not merely an educational issue but also one of cultural identity and linguistic recognition.
Despite the strong sentiments expressed during the demonstrations, the protests remained peaceful throughout the day. Organisers instructed participants to maintain discipline and avoid any disruption to public life while conveying their message.
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The UMCRS, TSF and TISF leaders said the movement would continue through democratic and peaceful means until their demand receives due consideration. They reiterated their commitment to pursuing the issue through public awareness campaigns, consultations and future programmes aimed at securing recognition of the Roman script for Kokborok in academic and official settings.
The statewide demonstrations once again brought the Kokborok script issue into public focus, highlighting its continued significance in Tripura’s social, cultural and educational discourse. As discussions on the matter continue, the script debate remains one of the most important linguistic issues affecting the indigenous communities of the state.
