BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 18th March 2025: The Tipra Indigenous Students Federation (TISF) and Twipra Students Federation (TSF), two major indigenous students’ organizations in Tripura, staged a protest on Tuesday against the use of Bengali script in the Kok Borok exam question paper for Class 10 board exams. This occurred despite prior assurances from the Tripura Government and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) that the Roman script would be included.
On March 17, students appearing for the examination reportedly received their Kok Borok question papers in Bengali script. Unfamiliar with the script, many students submitted blank answer sheets in protest.Today, the TISF submitted a memorandum to the President of the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE), urging immediate steps to ensure the inclusion of the Roman script for Kok Borok in TBSE examinations.
“We write with utmost urgency on behalf of the Kok Borok-speaking community to address a long-standing issue that continues to hinder academic success and fairness in TBSE examinations. Kok Borok is not just a state language but an essential part of Tripura’s cultural identity. Over the years, the script used for examinations has been a source of confusion and frustration. While students have been given the option to write in either Bengali or Roman script, question papers continue to be printed in Bengali, disregarding the preference and practicality of the Roman script for the majority of students,” the memorandum stated.The organizations stressed that the Roman script is widely accepted for writing Kok Borok, as it better aligns with the language’s syllables and vocabulary.
“It is the script most commonly used by the people of Tripura, and students have been advocating for its inclusion in examinations for decades. Despite repeated appeals from both political and non-political groups, no substantial change has been made. Last year, when the TBSE President announced that students would only be allowed to write in the Bengali script, it sparked massive protests across the state. The state government’s temporary intervention provided relief, but the issue remains unresolved, putting Kok Borok-speaking students at a disadvantage,” the memorandum added.
TISF protesters argued that the absence of question papers in the Roman script—widely used for Kok Borok education—directly hinders students’ ability to perform well.“This is not a minor inconvenience; it is a systemic issue preventing students from having a fair opportunity to demonstrate their academic capabilities. Many students who appeared for the board examination are already frustrated. This matter requires immediate redressal,” the memorandum emphasized.
Meanwhile, TSF General Secretary Hamalu Jamatia strongly condemned the issue, stating, “Yesterday, the Secondary examination for Kok Borok took place. The Government of Tripura and CBSE had assured us that the question paper would be printed in the Roman script, yet it was set in Bengali. Who is accountable for this? TSF has submitted multiple memorandums. This is our final warning. Students and parents stand with us, and we will continue to fight for this cause.”
