Ranchi, Nov 15 The Jharkhand BJP’s three-day march to mark the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda culminated at the tribal icon’s memorial in Kokar area here on Sunday.
The march began from Ulihatu, the birthplace of Birsa Munda, in Khunti district, on November 13 as part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Divas celebration.
Led by Jharkhand BJP chief Aditya Sahu, the ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Padyatra’ reached Birsa Munda Museum at Ranchi’s Jail Chowk and proceeded further towards the tribal icon’s memorial after covering about 75 km from Ulihatu.
Thousands of tribal people joined the march, accompanied by the beats of traditional drums.
Apart from Sahu, senior BJP leaders, including Ranchi MLA CP Singh, party general secretary Amar Bauri, garlanded the statue of Birsa Munda and offered floral tributes.
“The BJP is celebrating the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda with much fanfare as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. Birsa Munda dreamt of a literate and united society. A literate society can carry forward its culture and tradition and keep the society united,” Sahu told reporters at the Birsa Munda memorial.
He said the BJP’s ST Morcha had taken out the march three days ago from the tribal icon’s birthplace at Ulihatu.
“Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister, after the country’s Independence, who visited Birsa Munda’s birthplace and smeared the soil of the land on his forehead. It was his initiative to celebrate his birthday as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. Several schemes were launched in his name for the welfare of tribals,” Sahu said.
Born in 1875, Birsa Munda is credited with mobilising tribals against colonial rule. He died in British custody at the age of 25 on June 9, 1900.
The birth anniversary of the freedom fighter has been celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas since 2021 to honour the contributions of tribal communities, especially in India’s freedom struggle, and highlights their important role in preserving the country’s heritage and advancing its progress.
(PTI News)
