INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Monday (15) paid tributes to the country’s iconic tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda on his 146th birth anniversary saying the latter’s struggle serves as an inspiration and guidance for several generations.
Modi, who inaugurated Bhagwan Birsa Munda Smriti Udyan-cum-Freedom Fighters Museum in Ranchi in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand where Munda was born via video-conferencing, said, “'Dharti Aba' (Birsa Munda) wrote a complete history for the country in a short span of life and his struggle gave inspiration and direction to the generations of India. Lord Birsa lived for society, sacrificed his life for his culture and the country. Therefore, he remains in our faith and soul as our God.”
Munda, who was tried by the British authorities, died in jail at the age of 25.
Modi also recalled Munda’s contribution in giving an edge to the freedom movement and the movement to protect interests of the tribal society.
“Lord Birsa knew that attacking diversity in the name of modernity and tampering with ancient identity and nature was not the way to the welfare of society. He was in favour of modern education, he advocated for changes, he showed courage to speak against the evils and shortcomings of his own society. The fight of ‘Dharti Aba’ was against the thinking which wanted to erase the identity of the tribal society of India,” the prime minister said.
The birth anniversary of Birsa Munda is being celebrated by the Modi government as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Day of Tribal Pride).
“In this Amrit Kaal of Independence, the country has decided that it will confer a more grand identity to its tribal traditions and valour stories. In this sequence, a historic decision has been taken that from today every year the country will celebrate November 15 that is the birthday of Birsa Munda as ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’,” Modi said.
The birth anniversary of Munda also coincides with the foundation day of the state of Jharkhand, which was created in 2000 by bifurcating the state of Bihar.
