Assam pays tribute to Tribal Icon Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary

Tinsukia: Assam celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda on Saturday with the unveiling of a full-scale statue of the legendary leader at Bisakopi Tea Estate in Dumduma Town, Tinsukia district.

“Today is 'Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas'. On the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda Deva, we remember him with deep reverence,” Assam Cabinet Minister Rupesh Gowala shared on social media while providing information about the event. The statue was unveiled under the leadership of BJP State President and MP Dilip Saikia, honoring Munda’s enduring legacy.

Birsa Munda, the esteemed tribal leader, spiritual guide, and folk hero of India's freedom movement, led the tribal people inhabiting parts of modern Bihar and Jharkhand against British oppression. He was martyred when he was only 25 years old, leaving an indelible mark on the struggle for justice and the rights of tribals in India.

Attended by senior BJP leaders and local tea garden communities, the event marked Assam's observance of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, emphasizing national recognition of tribal heritage.

BJP Member of Parliament, Dilip Saikia, also paid tribute on social media:
"Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas' honours the bravery and dignity of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, tribal heritage has been brought into national focus through initiatives such as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, Eklavya Model Schools, the PVTG Mission, Van Dhan Kendras, and transformative connectivity projects. The celebration is thus a reiteration of our commitment to tradition, upliftment of culture, and empowerment of the tribals."

President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes at Parliament House, New Delhi, reconfirming that since 2021, Munda's birth anniversary is observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas across the country.

Born in 1875 and martyred in 1900, Birsa Munda, reverently called 'Dharti Aaba', led the Ulgulan Movement by mobilizing Adivasi communities against exploitative British forest laws, land dispossession, and oppression. His fight for rights, dignity, and self-respect continues to inspire generations.

In Assam, the tea garden communities share a historic connection with Birsa Munda, as many of their ancestors were brought from the Chotanagpur region of Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar, the very heartland of Munda’s rebellion. His ideals of justice and empowerment remain a guiding force for tea workers across Assam’s tea belt, including Dumduma.