Sri Vijaya Puram, November 15: BJP National Secretary and Prabhari for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Mr. Jai Prakash (JP) took part in Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations in Sri Vijaya Puram today, marking the birth anniversary of freedom fighter and tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
After arriving by flight with BJP State President Mr. Anil Kumar Tiwari, he visited Birsa Nagar at Attam Pahad, garlanded the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and paid floral tributes. Members of the Janjati community and BJP workers of the area, a predominantly tribal hamlet, welcomed him, according to the party.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jai Prakash said the British had subjected the tribal community to various forms of oppression over land and religious conversion, and the young Birsa Munda fought against these atrocities. “At the young age of just 25, he became revered as Bhagwan,” he said.
A community or person that becomes detached from its original religion and culture loses its heritage and self-esteem, he said. Bhagwan Birsa Munda advocated protecting one’s religion and culture and fighting for land rights, and through this struggle secured a place of honour for the Adivasi community across the country, he said. Birsa Munda gave the slogan ‘Abua Dishum, Abua Raj’, meaning ‘Our Country, Our Rule’, the Prabhari added.
The party noted that Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi declared Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ in 2021, and that it has since become a national festival honouring India’s tribal heritage, history and heroes.
In the evening, Mr. Jai Prakash attended, as Special Guest, the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations at the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram led by Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma. Later, accompanied by Mr. Tiwari, he took part in the Chhath Puja celebrations at Corbyn’s Cove Beach.
