India Honors 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

New Delhi, November 15, 2025 – India today united in reverence for the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the legendary tribal leader affectionately known as Dharti Aaba (Father of the Earth). Observed annually as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day), this milestone occasion marks the culmination of the year-long Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh, a nationwide celebration honoring the valor and contributions of tribal heroes to India’s freedom struggle and cultural heritage.

Born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu village (now in Jharkhand), Birsa Munda rose from humble beginnings to become a fierce symbol of resistance against British colonial exploitation. Belonging to the Munda tribe, he witnessed the relentless dispossession of tribal lands, forests, and water resources by colonial authorities, moneylenders, and missionaries. In the late 19th century, Munda spearheaded the Ulgulan (Great Tumult) rebellion—a millenarian movement that rallied thousands of Adivasis in Bihar and present-day Jharkhand to reclaim their ancestral rights and assert self-rule. His clarion call of “Abua Raj Ete Jana, Maharaj Ete Jana” (Our rule, our kingdom) embodied the fight for Jal-Jangal-Jameen (water, forest, land). Arrested in 1900 at the age of 25, Munda’s untimely death in British custody only amplified his legacy as a martyr for indigenous rights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national commemorations from Gujarat’s Narmada district, a tribal-dominated region symbolizing the government’s commitment to inclusive development. Addressing a grand public gathering in Dediapada, the Prime Minister paid floral tributes to Munda’s statue and unveiled a series of transformative projects worth over ₹9,700 crore aimed at uplifting tribal communities. These initiatives, jointly funded by the Centre (₹7,667 crore) and the Gujarat government (₹2,112 crore), span education, healthcare, infrastructure, and cultural preservation.

Key highlights include:

• Grih Pravesh (housewarming) for 1 lakh homes under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA), providing secure housing to remote tribal families.
• Tap water connections for 10,000 households, ensuring access to clean drinking water.
• Inauguration of 42 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) valued at ₹1,900 crore, alongside laying the foundation for 50 more (₹2,320 crore), to deliver quality education to tribal youth.
• 228 Multi-Purpose Centres to foster community-led activities and economic empowerment.
• Flagging off 250 buses for enhanced connectivity across 14 tribal districts of Gujarat.
• Foundation stone for 748 km of new roads in tribal areas.
• 14 Tribal Multi-Marketing Centres (TMMCs) under DA-JAGUA to promote local products and entrepreneurship.
• A Centre of Competence at Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh and a Tribal Research Institute building in Imphal, Manipur, dedicated to preserving tribal culture and heritage.

Earlier, PM Modi offered prayers at the revered Devmogra Temple of Pandori Mata, the clan deity of local tribes, before proceeding to the event venue. Tribal artists from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra welcomed him with vibrant traditional performances. In the evening, a special play depicting Munda’s life was staged at Ekta Nagar, broadcast live across 23 tribal talukas in Gujarat.

The celebrations were preceded by the Janjatiya Gaurav Rath Yatra, a two-route journey from Umargam to Ekta Nagar and Ambaji to Ekta Nagar, which concluded on November 13. A national colloquy on Munda’s life was held on November 1 at Ekta Nagar, where Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated a pavilion showcasing his legacy, alongside stalls promoting tribal handicrafts and cuisine.

In the national capital, President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar led tributes at the Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House complex. Joined by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, the dignitaries offered floral tributes to Munda’s statue amid cultural displays. Vice President Dhankhar and Speaker Birla even engaged with tribal traditions by playing the dhol, a ceremonial drum symbolizing community heritage. President Murmu, in a pre-recorded message, reflected on her 2023 visit to Ulihatu and emphasized Munda’s enduring inspiration: “Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji sacrificed everything to protect the pride and dignity of the motherland. His struggle against injustice continues to guide us.”

Prime Minister Modi, in his address and social media post, hailed Munda’s role in India’s global fight against climate change, crediting tribal reverence for nature. He announced the creation of Birsa Munda Janjatiya Upvans—commemorative groves in tribal districts—to promote ecological conservation. “Hundredfold salutations to the great freedom fighter on his 150th birth anniversary,” Modi wrote, extending greetings on Jharkhand Statehood Day, which coincides with the occasion.

Leaders across the political spectrum echoed these sentiments. The nationwide events underscore the government’s broader push for tribal welfare, including the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) IEC campaign in states like Goa and Chhattisgarh. Museums such as the Birsa Munda Memorial in Ranchi and Janjatiya Darpan at Rashtrapati Bhavan further immortalize his story, while commemorative coins and stamps from last year keep his flame alive.

As India steps into a future of empowered tribal voices, Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan reminds us that true progress lies in honoring the roots of our diverse nation. Johar to Dharti Aaba—may his vision of justice and self-determination endure.

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