Every November 15, ‘Tribal Pride Day’ or ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ is celebrated to honour Indian tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda of the Munda tribe.
The religious, spiritual healer, and folk hero led the millenarian movement of Bengal presidency, now in Jharkhand, in the late 19th century, against the British which makes him an iconic leader of the Indian Independence movement.
The revolt led by him in the Munda belt of Khunti, Tamar, Sarwada and Bandgaon regions helped revive the traditional tribal culture.
His slogan Abua raj ete jana, maharani raj tundu jana, meaning ‘Let the kingdom of the queen end and our kingdom be established’ is still remembered by the people of Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
On November 10, the Union Cabinet voted to observe November 15 as the leader’s birth anniversary to remember his contribution in the tribal freedom fight. His birth is celebrated as far as in Karnataka’s Mysuru and Kodagu ditricts.
Also read: Birsa Munda’s death anniversary: Know about the iconic tribal leader
The Birsa Agricultural University in Ranchi, Birsa Institute of Technology, in Sindri, Birsa College in Khunti, Sidho Kanho Birsha University in Purulia, Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi, Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi and the Birsa Munda Tribal University in Narmada are some of the places named after the freedom fighter, commemorating him.
On the occasion of his birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the residents of Jharkhand and tweeted about the great leader’s role in mobilising a tribal freedom struggle. The state of Jharkhand was formed in 2000 on November 15, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
To mark the occasion later in the day, PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Madhya Pradesh on Monday where he will inaugurate multiple initiatives for the welfare of the tribal community.
Here’s how netizens paid tribute to the leader on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas:
Also read: Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary to be marked as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas
