Prime Minister Modi to Address Nation on Birsa Munda Jayanti
On November 15, PM Modi will honor Birsa Mundas legacy with a virtual address, highlighting tribal contributions to Indias freedom struggle.
New Delhi, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation virtually on November 15 in celebration of Birsa Munda Jayanti, which is recognized as ‘Tribal Pride Day.’
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will host a week-long series of events from November 11 to 18 to commemorate the contributions of tribal communities to India’s freedom struggle and nation-building. These events, guided by BJP National President Nitin Naveen, will showcase initiatives aimed at the overall development of tribal communities and the changes in their lives.
Birsa Munda, born on November 15, 1875, in the Ulihatu village of Jharkhand’s Khunti district, emerged as a prominent young leader during British rule. He united tribal people against exploitation, land seizures, and various forms of oppression. Known as ‘Dharti Aaba,’ Munda became a symbol of tribal resistance and pride. Despite his young age, he led a powerful movement against British tyranny, rallying his followers with the slogan ‘Abua Disha, Abua Raj,’ meaning ‘Our Land, Our Rule.’
Munda also campaigned against social evils like alcoholism and urged tribal communities to preserve their religious and cultural traditions. He tragically died in Ranchi jail at the age of 25 on June 9, 1900.
His struggle contributed to the implementation of the ‘Chhota Nagpur Tenancy Act’ in 1908, which protected the land rights of tribal people and prohibited the transfer of their land to non-tribals. The BJP has highlighted the contributions of various other tribal freedom fighters who played significant roles against British rule, including Tilka Manjhi, Sidhu and Kanhu, and Rani Durgavati, among others.
The party also referenced the 1913 Mangarh massacre, where British troops killed nearly 1,500 tribal people during a gathering led by Govind Guru. This event is often regarded as one of the most tragic incidents in the tribal freedom struggle.
The BJP has noted that mainstream history has often overlooked the contributions of many tribal freedom fighters. Under Prime Minister Modi‘s leadership, efforts have been made to recognize and honor these forgotten heroes. In 2021, the Modi government declared Birsa Munda Jayanti as ‘Tribal Pride Day’ to acknowledge the contributions of tribal freedom fighters.
The first major event took place in Bhopal, where the ‘Birsa Munda Memorial Garden and Museum’ was inaugurated, and the Habibganj railway station was renamed ‘Rani Kamalapati Railway Station’ in honor of the tribal queen.
In 2022, Prime Minister Modi visited Ulihatu to pay tribute to Birsa Munda. The following year, President Droupadi Murmu also visited the birthplace of this tribal hero, marking a significant recognition of his legacy on a national level.
