BJP to celebrate Birsa Munda Jayanti with statewide Janjatiya Gaurav fortnight in Jharkhand
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, November 6: The Jharkhand BJP will organise a series of programmes across the state to mark the…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, November 6: The Jharkhand BJP will organise a series of programmes across the state to mark the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda on November 15 and celebrate Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day) as part of a fortnight-long campaign highlighting the contributions of tribal freedom fighters and leaders.
The decision was discussed at a state-level workshop organised by the BJP’s Scheduled Tribes (ST) Morcha at Carnival Banquet Hall in Dibdih, Ranchi. The meeting, chaired by ST Morcha state president Sunny Toppo, outlined plans to take the celebrations from the state headquarters to villages and panchayats.
BJP to take tribal heritage campaign to grassroots
BJP state president Aditya Sahu said the party would observe Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada on a large scale to highlight the contributions of tribal leaders, freedom fighters and revolutionaries.
He said party workers from the state to the panchayat level would participate in programmes aimed at creating awareness about tribal history, culture and heritage.
Sahu asserted that the dignity, identity, self-respect and rights of tribal communities remained among the BJP’s priorities.
Modi government gave national recognition to tribal heroes: Marandi
Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi described Jharkhand as the birthplace of Birsa Munda and a historic centre of tribal movements.
He said tribal communities had played an important role in India’s freedom struggle and in protecting their traditional rights over jal, jungle and zameen (water, forests and land).
Marandi recalled that the Narendra Modi government declared November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in 2021 to commemorate Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary.
He described the decision as a historic step towards giving national recognition to the contributions, sacrifices and struggles of tribal communities.
Arjun Munda highlights contributions of tribal freedom fighters
Former Chief Minister Arjun Munda said remembering the contributions of Birsa Munda, Sido-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, Tilka Manjhi, Phulo-Jhano, Nilamber-Pitamber and Jatra Tana Bhagat was a collective responsibility.
He said the Modi government had taken steps to recognise tribal freedom fighters and their sacrifices at the national level.
Munda also highlighted central government initiatives, including the PM-JANMAN scheme, Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, Eklavya Model Residential Schools and the establishment of tribal freedom fighter museums.
He said these initiatives were aimed at improving educational opportunities, development and recognition of tribal heritage.
Madhu Koda calls for preservation of tribal identity
Former Chief Minister Madhu Koda stressed the need to highlight the historical role of tribal communities in India’s independence movement and social transformation.
He said preserving tribal identity, culture, traditions and heritage was a shared responsibility.
Koda urged young people to learn about their community’s history and participate actively in its social and economic development.
Programmes planned from districts to villages
Former national president of the BJP ST Morcha and national co-convener and state convener of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, Sameer Oraon, outlined the programmes planned across Jharkhand.
He said the fortnight-long campaign would go beyond ceremonial celebrations and focus on spreading awareness about tribal history, culture and the sacrifices of tribal leaders.
Oraon said ST Morcha workers would visit villages and hamlets to inform people about the struggles and contributions of Birsa Munda and other tribal icons.
He also called for the participation of young people, women and traditional village heads in the campaign.
BJP state organisation secretary Pawan Sai presented the programme schedule and said events would be organised at the state, district, mandal and panchayat levels.
He urged party workers and district-level committees to ensure active participation in the celebrations.
Sanjay Seth highlights Centre’s tribal welfare initiatives
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said the Narendra Modi government had undertaken several initiatives aimed at promoting tribal welfare and bringing tribal communities into the mainstream of development.
He said the declaration of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas had helped bring the contributions of tribal heroes to wider national and international attention.
Seth urged BJP workers to ensure that the benefits of central government welfare schemes reached people at the grassroots.
He said the party was committed to building an empowered, self-reliant and developed tribal society inspired by the ideals of Birsa Munda.
Senior BJP leaders attend workshop
The workshop was attended by several senior BJP leaders, including Sudarshan Bhagat, Sunil Soren, Geeta Koda, Manoj Singh, Amar Bauri, Ramkumar Pahan, Shivshankar Oraon, Roshni Khalkho, Ashok Baraik, Koche Munda, Sanjay Sardar, Anita Murmu, Bhushan Pat Pingua, Harekrishna Singh, Dinesh Oraon, Shashi Bhushan Samad, Kamlesh Oraon and Nirmal Besra.
Former MPs, former MLAs, state office-bearers, district presidents, ST Morcha district presidents and members of district-level committees constituted for Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas also participated.
