New Delhi, May 25: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah addressed the ‘Tribal Cultural Festival’ in New Delhi on Sunday, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
In his speech, Shah emphasized that this festival will be remembered as a grand congregation of tribes for many years to come. He noted that this is the first tribal movement since Bhagwan Birsa Munda that unites the entire nation. He highlighted that this year commemorates the 150th anniversary of Birsa Munda, whose Ulgulan movement challenged the British, spreading the message of tribal rights across India, from Jharkhand to Gujarat, despite limited communication means at the time.
Shah stated that water, forests, and mountains are sacred to tribal communities, serving as sources of livelihood and cultural identity. He praised the sustainable models created by tribal communities, which exemplify unity in diversity without any written rules. He reiterated that the Constitution grants every individual the right to live with respect for their original faith, stating that greed and force cannot change anyone’s religion.
He urged the tribal communities to stand firm in their commitment to protect their faith, linking this resolve to their culture and nation. Shah remarked that those who sow discord do not understand that thousands of years ago, Lord Ram demonstrated our unity by accepting the berries offered by Shabari.
The Home Minister expressed concerns over a conspiracy suggesting that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would strip tribes of their cultural rights. He assured that the UCC would not impose any restrictions on tribal communities, emphasizing that the Modi government has implemented the UCC in Gujarat and Uttarakhand while ensuring that all tribes are exempt from its provisions.
Shah also addressed the issue of Naxal violence, stating that over 40,000 tribal lives were lost due to this menace. He claimed that the Modi government has eradicated this long-standing problem, transforming former Naxalite camps into community service centers.
He highlighted the government’s commitment to tribal welfare, recalling that under former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a dedicated Ministry for Tribal Welfare was established, which has since been advanced by Prime Minister Modi. Recently, the party won all 16 tribal reserved seats in West Bengal elections, showcasing its dedication to tribal development.
Shah concluded by mentioning that the Modi government has significantly increased the budget for tribal welfare from ₹28,000 crores to ₹1.5 lakh crores, demonstrating its commitment to the upliftment of tribal communities. He also acknowledged the contributions of Draupadi Murmu, who hails from a poor Santhal family, in advancing the welfare of the entire tribal society.
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