
Tripura govt proposes Hindi as medium of news over Kokborok to promote nationalism
The CPI(M) and the Congress on Saturday lashed out at Tripura’s ruling BJP-IPFT government over its proposal to introduce Hindi as medium of news on all local TV channels “instead of” Kokborok, the second official language of the state.
The objective is to promote nationalism and also help people from outside the state follow the news, according to the proposal stated in a document of the state information and cultural affairs department. The document notes minutes of a meeting held on April 6.
The CPI(M) condemned the proposal, saying Hindi may be promoted but not at the cost of the indigenous Kokborok.
“Hindi may be promoted as third official language but the regional languages should also be given due importance. We strongly oppose the ruling government’s decision,” said Radhacharan Debbarma, leader of the CPI(M) indigenous wing, Tripura Upajati GanaMukti Parishad.
BJP’s alliance partner, the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), said it was unaware of the proposal. “We don’t know about it as of now,” said IPFT leader Ananta Debbarma.
The Congress too opposed the proposal and demanded the BJP-IPFT government withdraw it.
“The IPFT should be ashamed of supporting the decision,” said Congress Scheduled Tribe department leader Dinesh Debbarma.
Amid the furore, Bishnupada Das, director in-charge of information and cultural affairs department, said on Saturday the Kokborok news would continue. Of the 13 local news channels enlisted with the information and cultural affairs department, less than five have Kokborok news slots.
“It was proposed that all local TV channels introduce Hindi as medium of news so that people from other states could know more about Tripura,” he added.
BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Deb declined to comment on the proposal. Despite repeated attempts, BJP’s Scheduled Tribe Morcha leaders could not be reached for comment.

‘Pay for news’: Indian Newspaper Society in a letter to Google

Car with explosives found near Mukesh Ambani’s residence

BJP has stopped entry of illegal immigrants, says Amit Shah in Assam

Farm unions, traders to join Bharat Bandh today

Officials targeted in new phishing bid via govt IDs

Tandav controversy: Amazon Prime executive’s bail plea rejected by Allahabad HC

5 dead, 19 injured in blast at firecracker factory near Tamil Nadu's Sivakasi
- Fire engines and rescue teams were pressed into service and the injured are being treated at the Sivakasi government hospital.

CM Yediyurappa, the recalcitrant conformist, turns 78
- A Bengaluru-based political analyst said that Yediyurappa's supporters may want to go in for low-key birthday celebrations even though detractors may post as many ads as possible to remind everyone of his age.

Huge whale shark washes up on Odisha coast; locals push it back into the sea
- Officials said some local youths spotted the big fish lying lifeless on the Sonapur coast on Thursday afternoon.

Earthquake of 3.6 magnitude jolts Assam's Guwahati

Bhubaneswar records maximum day temperature pan-India for 2nd consecutive day
- Officials in Bhubaneswar's Regional Meteorological Centre said the maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday too was highest on that day.

'Infrastructural marvel' Chenab bridge completes important milestone

MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan urges people to avoid travelling to Maharashtra
- In MP, the positivity rate increased to 2.3% on Thursday and there are 2,435 active cases in the state.

'375 mn Indian children may suffer due to Covid-19 pandemic': CSE report
- CSE’s director general Sunita Narian said Covid-19 had made the world’s poor poorer.
