Tipra Motha MLA Ranjit Debbarma has called upon Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman to urgently reconsider the schedule of the 48th Kokborok Sal-2026 celebrations and include January 19, 2026 the officially recognised Kokborok Day in the programme.

According to Debbarma, the Tripura government has planned a seven-day celebration of Kokborok Sal-2026 from January 9 to January 17. However, the exclusion of January 19, which is annually observed as Kokborok Day, has sparked widespread resentment among Kokborok-speaking tribal communities across the state.

In a letter addressed to the Higher Education Minister, the MLA expressed strong dissatisfaction over the decision, stating that omitting the historically significant date has deeply hurt the sentiments of indigenous people. He described the move as surprising and unacceptable, questioning the rationale behind scheduling the celebrations while leaving out the very day that commemorates the Kokborok language.

“January 19 holds immense historical and cultural importance. Ignoring Kokborok Day while organising a festival in the name of Kokborok is difficult to understand,” Debbarma stated. He further asked on what grounds the government finalised a seven-day programme without accommodating the officially recognised date.

Emphasising the cultural significance of Kokborok, the Tipra Motha leader said the language represents the identity, emotions, and heritage of Tripura’s indigenous population. He warned that sidelining Kokborok Day could intensify dissatisfaction and alienation among tribal communities.

Debbarma has firmly demanded that January 19, 2026, be included in the official celebration schedule, asserting that such a step would reflect genuine respect for the Kokborok language and culture. He urged the government to take corrective measures to uphold cultural dignity and promote social harmony in the state.