THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Kharsawan (Jharkhand), January 1: Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda, along with Meera Munda and BJP workers, on Thursday paid floral tributes at the Kharsawan Martyrs’ Memorial, built in memory of those who were killed in the Kharsawan firing incident of January 1, 1948. The leaders and party workers reached the memorial on foot to honour the martyrs.
Speaking to the media after paying homage, Arjun Munda said that even after independence, governments have failed to learn concrete lessons from the sacrifices of the tribal community. He said the land where martyrs wrote history with their blood is still waiting for justice.
‘Freedom Incomplete Without Respect for Tribal Culture’
Arjun Munda said that before independence, the tribal struggle was against British rule, in which heroes like Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sido-Kanhu, and Chand laid down their lives. However, he added that the sacrifice at Kharsawan after independence sent a powerful message that freedom is incomplete without understanding and respecting the natural life, culture, and traditions of tribals.
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Concerns Over PESA Implementation
The former Chief Minister expressed concern that governance in Scheduled Areas is still not in line with the spirit of the Constitution. He said that although the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) has been implemented, its rules and procedures do not fully align with tribal customs and traditions, which he described as an injustice to the martyrs’ sacrifice.
‘Attack on Water, Forests, and Land’
Arjun Munda warned that urbanisation, mining activities, sand scams, and land acquisition are continuously threatening water, forests, land, and tribal culture in Scheduled Areas. He said attempts to declare tribal regions as urban areas by constructing large buildings are a direct attack on tribal identity and existence.
Pledge to Continue the Struggle
While people across the country welcomed the New Year, Arjun Munda said that they chose to offer flowers at the Martyrs’ Memorial and renew their pledge to protect tribal rights.
“The true tribute to the martyrs will be paid only when the spirit of the PESA Act is fully implemented according to their dreams, and when the tribal community progresses with dignity while preserving its indigenous culture,” he said.
