Agartala, Feb 16: In a sharp message to its senior ally Bharatiya Janata Party, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT) on Monday urged Chief Minister Manik Saha to refrain from making statements on the contentious Kokborok Roman script issue.
IPFT General Secretary Swapan Debbarma said the Chief Minister, whose mother tongue is Bengali, should avoid interfering in matters concerning the development of Kokborok. “Kokborok speakers understand which script will help develop their language. There is no need for interference in something that is not his mother tongue,” Debbarma stated, cautioning that continued intervention could create unnecessary complications.
He asserted that script-related decisions should be left to the community and language experts. Reminding political stakeholders of past consequences, Debbarma claimed that similar issues had contributed to the ouster of the Left Front government in the state.
He further said that while the Chief Minister may express personal views, government decisions must reflect a formal and written stand. Although Debbarma mentioned students are allowed to write Kokborok in both Roman and Bengali scripts, as has been the prevailing practice.
“No government is permanent,” he remarked, adding that the IPFT remains firm on resolving the matter and will take all necessary steps if required.
Debbarma also cautioned against what he termed as “dadagiri” in matters concerning language, emphasizing that sensitive issues related to identity must be handled carefully.
