“Let the kingdom of the queen be ended and our kingdom be established” — Birsa Munda
November 15 is a significant day in the history of Jharkhand. Not only does it happen to be the foundation day of the State, but also the birth anniversary of the great freedom fighter, Birsa Munda, a figure who is worshipped like a God and is referred to as Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda is an illustrious hero of Jharkhand. He devoted his life to creating a society based on equality and justice. The Government of India has declared his birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.
Janjatiya Gaurav Divas
Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary will be celebrated in the country as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. The Central Government’s decision is a mark of respect and honor to the tribal freedom fighters and to commemorate and acknowledge the history and cultural heritage of tribal people. Further, a week-long celebration has been planned from November 15 to 22, 2021.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda
“He was a true messiah of the poor, who fought throughout his life for the welfare of the oppressed and downtrodden. His contribution in the freedom movement and his efforts for social harmony will continue to inspire the countrymen” – PM Narendra Modi
Also known as Dharti Aba, Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, and belonged to the Munda tribe of the Chotanagpur Plateau. According to Gopi Krishna Kunwar’s book, “The Life and Times of Birsa Munda”, Birsa Munda was born in a small village of Ranchi, Ulihatu, to Sugna Munda and Karmi.
During the 1890s, Birsa Munda got tricked and was converted to Christianity. However, upon learning about the conversation of tribals into Christianity, he returned to his faith, rebelled against such an act. Not only this, he started preaching and advising the tribal communities to follow their original traditional tribal religion and practice and remain true to it. Inspired by his thoughts and efforts, the people started to seek his blessings and became saintly figure to the tribal people.
Rights of Adivasis
Birsa Munda did not just stick to religion. He raised his voice against British oppression and for the rights of the Adivasis. Dharti Aba fought and inspired the Adivasis for their forest rights. He inspired people to avoid alcohol and meat.
He started a movement called, Ulgulan. It was also Bhagwan Birsa Munda, because of whose efforts that the British Government had to passed the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act in 1908. The Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act (CNT act) is a significant act for the tribal population of Jharkhand. It prohibits the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals and protects community ownership.
Recognition
The Government of India in 2019 had announced the setting up of tribal freedom fighters museums across the country to commemorate the contribution of tribals in the freedom struggle. In Ranchi, Jharkhand, the museum honoring Birsa Munda was sanctioned. The museum will be showcasing the life of Birsa Munda through light, sound, and laser shows.
Birsa Munda is the only tribal leader whose portrait hangs in the Central Hall of the Indian Parliament. Several institutions are named in Birsa Munda’s honor, including the Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi. Several movies have been made on his life, including the 2004’s Hindi film, Ulgulan-Ek Kranti (The Revolution), and Birsa Munda – The Black Iron Man.
In 1988, a postage stamp featuring Birsa Munda was also released in the late tribal hero’s honor.
Events lined up this year
To mark the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bhagwan Birsa Munda Smriti Udyaan Seh Swatantrata Senani Sangralay in Ranchi via video conferencing.
PM Modi will be paying a floral tribute at the Bhagwan Birsa Munda statue at Parliament House, New Delhi. He will also be visiting Madhya Pradesh & participating in Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Mahasammelan at Jamburi Maidan, Bhopal. There, he will launch multiple initiatives for the welfare of the janjatiya community at around 1 pm.
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