Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday paid tributes to tribal freedom fighter and social reformer Birsa Munda on his martyrdom day, remembering his contribution to India’s freedom struggle and the cause of tribal rights.
In a post on X, the PM said, “On the martyrdom day of Mother Earth Father God Birsa Munda Ji, I offer millions of salutations to him. He fought with indomitable courage against the foreign regime for the protection of ‘jal, jungle and zameen’ (water, forests, and land). His entire life was dedicated to safeguarding the pride, culture, and rights of tribal society. His saga of sacrificing everything for the motherland will continue to inspire patriotism in every generation of the nation.”
Paying homage to the tribal icon, Amit Shah wrote on X, “The immortal symbol of tribal pride, patriotism and cultural consciousness, Bhagwan Birsa Munda, sounded the conch of freedom against British rule through the Ulgulan Movement. He organised tribal society to protect their rights and heritage, and gave the conservation of water, forests and land the form of a people’s movement.”
Shah added, “His struggle against religious conversion and his dedication to tribal glory remain an inspiration for millions of countrymen even today. On the death anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, I bow to him a million times.”
Birsa Munda, revered as one of India’s most prominent tribal leaders, led the historic Ulgulan (Great Tumult) against British colonial rule and the exploitative land policies imposed on tribal communities. Born in 1875 in present-day Jharkhand, he became a powerful symbol of tribal identity, self-respect and resistance.
Through the Ulgulan movement, Birsa Munda mobilised thousands of tribal people to fight for their rights, identity and traditional land ownership. Although his movement was centred in the Chotanagpur region, his legacy continues to resonate across the country.
Recognising the contributions of tribal freedom fighters, the government has designated November 15, Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
Birsa Munda died in British custody on June 9, 1900, at the age of 25, but his legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians.
(with ANI input)
