Remembering Bhagwan Birsa Munda: A Symbol of Tribal Pride and National Identity

 

On June 9, 1900, Bhagwan Birsa Munda breathed his last in a British prison, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire millions. He was only 25, but in his short life, he ignited a revolution, the Ulgulan, that was not merely a tribal resistance but a movement for civilizational preservation. Today, as India strives to celebrate its pluralism and diversity, Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s life reminds us of the glorious chapters in our freedom struggle, those written in the dialects of the forest, sung in the songs of the hills, and fought with bows, courage, and conviction.

In recent years, the Government of India has taken several meaningful steps to bring the legacy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and other tribal heroes into national consciousness. In 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage on his birth anniversary—15 November—declaring it a “day of national faith.” It's essential to remember that the government of India decided on 10 November 2021 to observe 15 November as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, an annual national observance to honor tribal freedom fighters and the rich heritage of tribal communities. This landmark decision was part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorating 75 years of India’s independence.

The significance of this declaration is more than symbolic. It is a long-overdue acknowledgment of the vital role that tribal communities played, and continue to play, in shaping India’s national fabric. Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s struggle was not just against British economic and political exploitation but also a valiant defense of tribal identity, faith, and rights over jal, jungle, jameen (water, forest, and land).

 

During colonial rule, tribal societies bore the brunt of forced displacements, forest alienation, and cultural erasure. Evangelical conversions and displacement from ancestral lands were tactics employed to dismantle tribal autonomy. Bhagwan Birsa Munda, often called ‘Dharti Aaba’ (Father of the Earth), rose against this injustice. His Ulgulan movement sought not just freedom from the British but a reclamation of dignity. While he may have succumbed to British might, his resistance ignited a flame that illuminated paths for many other freedom fighters. Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s fight against British colonial rule is significant as it inspired national awakening.

To institutionalize his memory, the Indian government has established the first Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This is not an isolated initiative, but museums celebrating tribal heritage and valour are being developed in various states—Gujarat (Garudeshwar, Rajpipla), Andhra Pradesh (Lammasingi), Chhattisgarh (Raipur), Kerala (Kozhikode), Madhya Pradesh (Chhindwara), Telangana (Hyderabad), Manipur (Makhal Village, Senapati), Mizoram, and Goa. These centers aim not only to educate but also to spark pride and tourism in tribal regions often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s name today adorns not just museums but also institutions and landmarks across India, Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi, Birsa Institute of Technology in Sindri, and the world’s largest hockey stadium in Rourkela. His legacy lives on in academic institutions, student hostels, military regiments, and even university festivals. The Bihar Regiment of the Indian Army raises its war cry with “Birsa Munda Ki Jai,” encapsulating the spirit of resistance and loyalty to the land.

The Modi government, in particular, is honoring tribal heroes by various means such as introducing courses in tribal studies in the Universities in different parts of India. Along with it, systematic efforts are being made to offer research projects to researchers and university professors to study and make policy suggestions about the marginalization, displacement, and exclusion of tribal communities.

Additionally, it's worth noting that Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, India’s largest organization dedicated to the overall well-being of tribal communities, has played a significant role in bringing to light the life, legacy, and sacrifices of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. By organizing educational programs, cultural events, and awareness campaigns, the organization has ensured that Bhagwan Birsa Munda's struggle for tribal rights and identity is remembered as an integral part of India's broader freedom movement. Through its efforts, it continues to inspire pride in tribal heritage and instill awareness about the importance of ecological balance and cultural self-respect, values for which Bhagwan Birsa Munda laid down his life.

As we remember Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his death anniversary on 9^th June, it's important for us as a society and nation to ensure that Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s legacy is more than ceremonial. It should inspire robust policy-making, land rights protection, forest governance reform, inclusion in education and healthcare, and most importantly, the safeguarding of tribal languages, rituals, and worldviews.

As India strides into the future, it must carry the wisdom of its tribal past. Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s life was a message to all Indians: that freedom is not only about political independence, but also about cultural survival, environmental harmony, and dignity for all identities. Let the 9 June, Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s day of remembrance, not just be a calendar event, but a call to rediscover the soul of India, where India’s tribal heritage is not peripheral, but foundational.