On the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh and other leaders paid tribute to the tribal freedom fighter at the Parliament premises on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, PM Modi inaugurated Bhagwan Birsa Munda Smriti Udyan cum Freedom Fighters Museum in Ranchi via video conferencing.
Addressing the event, the Prime Minister 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."
Prime Minister Modi recalled Birsa Munda's contribution as giving a sharp edge to the freedom movement and in protecting the 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," he stated.
The birth anniversary of Birsa Munda, the iconic tribal leader who led a rebellion against the British, is being celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
"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'," Prime Minister added.
Birsa Munda, who belonged to the Munda tribe, was born on November 15 in 1875. During the British rule in the late 19th century, he spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement across the tribal belt of modern-day Bihar and Jharkhand.
His birth anniversary is celebrated as Birsa Munda Jayanti in the country and coincides with the Jharkhand Foundation Day.
( With inputs from ANI )
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