During the ongoing Karyakari Mandal Baithak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, a statement was issued by Sarkaryavah Dattatreya Hosabale on October 31, 2025, on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The statement of Dattatreya Hosabale reads, “In Bharat’s glorious struggle for independence, there has been a long and inspiring tradition of tribal freedom fighters and warriors whose contribution remains unforgettable. Among the greatest heroes and warriors of this struggle, Bhagwan Birsa Munda holds a special and revered place. Born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu (Jharkhand), this year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda”.
“Distressed by the atrocities committed by the British and their administration against the tribal communities, his father moved from Ulihatu to Bamba. At around ten years of age, Birsa was admitted to the Chaibasa Missionary School, where he witnessed the conspiracy of missionary institutions to detach tribal students from their own religious traditions and convert them to Christianity. He realised that conversion not only destroys an individual’s faith and cultural consciousness but also gradually erodes the identity of the entire community”, the statement reads.
The statement further reads, “At the young age of fifteen, understanding the conspiracies of Christian missionaries, Birsa Munda began a struggle to awaken his society for the protection of their religious identity and traditions. By the age of twenty-five, Bhagwan Birsa had ignited a wave of cultural renaissance within his society, which itself was enduring severe hardships. In protest against the British Government’s so-called administrative reforms, wherein forests were seized, land ownership was taken away from the tribal people, and forced labour policies were imposed, Bhagwan Birsa launched a massive public movement.”
“His clarion call, “Abua Dishum, Abua Raj” (Our Land, Our Rule), became a mantra of inspiration for the youth, motivating thousands to sacrifice their lives for Swadharma and identity. Bhagwan Birsa Munda led several movements and armed struggles for the protection of tribal rights, faith, traditions, and Swadharma. While fighting for his sacred life mission, he was captured and attained martyrdom in prison at the tender age of twenty-five under unfortunate and suspicious circumstances. For his love and sacrifice for his people, the entire tribal community reveres him as a divine incarnation and worships him as Dharti Aaba: Father of the Earth, Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The Government of Bharat has honoured his memory by installing his statue in the Parliament House complex. Every year, November 15 is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day). His supreme sacrifice stands as a shining example of the immense contribution of tribal communities to Bharat’s freedom struggle and continues to inspire the entire nation”, the statement further reads.
“The message of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s life, upholding religious faith, cultural tradition, self-respect, and the identity of the tribal society, remains profoundly relevant even today. In the present times, when divisive ideologies attempt to create false and misleading narratives about the tribal communities of Bharat, the valiant and spiritual saga of Bhagwan Birsa Munda will continue to dispel such misconceptions and strengthen self-awareness, confidence, and unity within society”, the statement by Dattatreya Hosabale reads.
On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh calls upon all swayamsevaks and the entire society to adopt the ideals and thoughts of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and contribute significantly towards building an organised, self-respecting, and self-aware society.
The Baithak is being attended by RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat, all six Sah-Sarkaryavahs, other Akhil Bharatiya Karyavibhag Pramukhs, and members of the Karyakarini (Executive Body). The meeting is also being attended by all the Prant Sanghchalaks, Prant Karyavahs, Pracharaks, Sah-Prant Sanghchalaks, Sah-Prant Karyavahs, and Sah-Pracharaks from all 46 Prants of the Sangh structure.
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