“………………..Kok-Borok, a dialect of Tibeto-Burman group, mother tongue of more than 1.3 million Borok(Tripuri) population inhabiting in Tripura, Mizoram and Assam States of India, and in Chittagong Hill Tracts and other five Districts of Bangladesh. Kok-Borok speaking rulers ruled the State of Tripura for more than thirteen hundred years. Though Kok-Borok is one of the rich languages in Eastern India by its treasure of folklore, folktale, vocabulary and cultural heritage. But, it could not be flourished to that extent due to the neglect of erstwhile rulers of the State and absence of any policy of the Union Government to preserve and develop such hundreds of dialects of distinct minority linguistic groups in the country.
However, Kok-Borok has been blessed to survive by the love & sacrifice of its people, and sincerest effort of Left Front Government in the State under the leadership of two great visionaries, Nripen Chakraborty and Dasaratha Deb, who has recognised Kok-Borok as one of the Official Languages of the State, since the 19th January,1979. A Directorate for development of Kok-Borok and other Minority Languages has been established under the Department of Education. Kok-Borok is being taught now in Tripura, as one of the Language Subjects up to degree level and Tripura University has also introduced Master Course in Kok-Borok.
During last 36 years journey of Kok-Borok as Official Language of Tripura has achieved many laurels in the field of literature, art and culture. Number of authors, singers and musicians conferred with awards at the national and regional level like Sahitya Academy and Sangeet Natak Academy etc. Hojagiri dance of Tripura has received acclamation at the international level. Every year number of books is being published; music albums and feature/short films are being released.
In spite of all above, in this era of globalisation, the very survival and development of a minority language like Kok-Borok is very difficult, unless it is patronised by the National Government by the frame of law, budgetary support and various activities. It is also very important in today’s circumstances to rope all the socially, culturally and linguistically marginalised communities in the country by promoting culture and languages, in order to instil spirit of patriotism and sense of pluralism. Hence, I would like to request the Government to take initiative to include Kok-Borok in the list of the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. Tripura Legislative Assembly, Government of Tripura and Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous Council has sent their proposal to Government of India in this regard for several times.
I hope the Government of India shall consider this very important and delecate issue in right perspective.”
