The Twipra Students Federation (TSF), an indigenous students’ organization affiliated with the North East Students Organisation (NESO), has announced an indefinite statewide strike starting March 21 in protest against the use of the Bengali script for Kok Borok board exams. The student body has threatened to block all national highways as part of their agitation.The TSF is demanding the implementation of the Roman script for Kok Borok exams and the rescheduling of exams for students who allegedly failed to answer due to the question papers being set in Bengali.
At a press conference, TSF General Secretary Hamalu Jamatia stated that the organization has been persistently advocating for the Roman script through protests, memoranda, and meetings with government authorities. “Despite assurances from the Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) and CBSE, the Kok Borok question paper for the board exams on March 17 was set only in Bengali script,” Jamatia said. He added that several students, especially from private schools, were unable to read the questions, leading to panic and distress among candidates.
The TSF has called upon the Tripura government and education boards to engage in discussions and immediately reschedule the exam for Class 10 and Class 12 students. The organization also urged students, parents, and the general public to join the movement to ensure linguistic rights are respected. “If our demands are not met, the agitation will continue indefinitely,” warned Jamatia, expressing concern that the upcoming Class 12 Kok Borok board exam on March 21 would again have questions set in Bengali.
