Birsa Munda Became the Voice of Tribal India: HM Amit Shah

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th Nov. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday unveiled a grand statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda at Baansera Park in New Delhi to mark the 150th birth anniversary of the tribal leader. The event was attended by several prominent leaders, including Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Amit Shah highlighted Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s immense contributions to the tribal community and the nation. He emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) in 2021, a day that marks Munda’s birth in Jharkhand in 1875. Shah also announced that the year from November 15, 2024, to November 15, 2025, will be observed as Adivasi Gaurav Varsh (Year of Tribal Pride).

Shri Shah further revealed that in honor of Munda’s legacy, the Modi government has decided to rename Sarai Kale Khan Chowk to Bhagwan Birsa Munda Chowk, reinforcing his symbolic importance for the nation.

The Home Minister paid tribute to Munda’s role as a protector of tribal culture, recalling his decisive actions at a young age against religious conversion and the British colonial rule. He lauded Munda for raising awareness among tribals about protecting their land, water, and forests — elements central to their livelihoods and identity.

“Birsa Munda became the voice of the tribal people and the nation. His movement against religious conversion and the British rule still resonates today,” Shah said. He also noted Munda’s significant role in leading the tribal resistance against exploitation, adding that he helped raise national awareness on tribal issues.

Shah noted that after independence, many tribal freedom fighters were forgotten. To rectify this, the Modi government has committed to building museums dedicated to tribal heroes, with three already inaugurated and more under development.

The Home Minister highlighted that the current government has allocated ₹1,33,000 crore for tribal development in the 2024–25 budget, a stark contrast to the ₹28,000 crore allocated by previous governments. Under various schemes, the government has enhanced infrastructure and education facilities in tribal areas, including the construction of 708 Eklavya Model Residential Schools and the development of 63,000 villages under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan.

The event concluded with a reflection on Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s enduring legacy as a national hero whose life continues to inspire generations, as the nation honors his contributions to the freedom struggle and tribal empowerment.