The Pole Star of the tribal civilisation, Bhagwan Birsa Munda (Dharti Aaba), was born in Ulihatu village on November 15, 1875, which is celebrated today as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day). The central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, announced the celebration of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in a Cabinet meeting on November 10, 2021.
The vast tribal tradition nurtured in the lap of Mother India is a testament to this country’s antiquity. The nature-centric life of the tribal society is also a living expression of the Sanatana character. Whenever attempts were made to encroach upon this character, the tribal society stood up to protect its Sva-dharma (own righteousness/duty), culture and national identity.
On the occasion of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary, the central government has announced the celebration of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada from November 1–15, 2025, as a heartfelt tribute to the valour, foresight and contribution of tribal heroes in India’s freedom struggle. By celebrating Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, Indian society symbolically bows to its spiritual and cultural heritage, while also remembering Dharti Aaba’s struggle for freedom and the anti-conversion movement. To protect this very spiritual and cultural consciousness, Bhagwan Birsa Munda dedicated his life to the altar of Bharat Mata and Sanatana Dharma at the age of 25.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda is among the leading heroes who led an armed rebellion against British rule and the Christian missionaries. While Bhagwan Birsa Munda was studying at a German missionary school, he was expelled because he protested against the English teacher, Dr Notrott, who had used derogatory language against the Munda tribe. Bhagwan Birsa Munda prioritised tribal pride and self-respect above temporal educational opportunities. The expulsion from school clarified the real nature of the English Christian missionaries to Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The Zamindari system introduced by the British attempted to deprive the tribal society of Jal, Jungle and Zameen, which resulted in Bhagwan Birsa Munda uniting the tribal society and launching an armed rebellion against the British rule.
Protection of Sva-dharma: Spiritual Resistance:
Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s struggle was not merely a fight for land; rather, it was a war for the Sva-dharma and age-old Sanatana consciousness. When the forces of Christian conversion were strong in India and were converting the tribal society, Bhagwan Birsa Munda took the responsibility of strengthening their Sanatana roots. Opposing conversion, he established the ‘Birsait’ sect, whose foundational principle was rooted in purity (Shuchita) and the worship of ‘Singhbonga’ (the Sun God). Birsa Munda infused a renewed flow of cultural consciousness into the tribal society, giving them the message to return to their traditions. This effort of his proved to be a milestone in safeguarding the national identity of the tribal society. This fearless, courageous and energetic leadership became a long-term source of inspiration, providing the energy to stand up against political and cultural aggression.
Proclamation of Culture and National Identity
Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s rebellion centred on the slogan, ‘Abua Disum – Abua Raj’ (Our Country, Our Rule). This slogan also exhibits the philosophy of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The call for the society to organise and engage in an armed rebellion made it clear that the tribal society has a natural right over Jal, Jungle, Zameen (Water, Jungle, Land – the Tribal Trinity) and this land is a national heritage.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has always held the belief that the tribal society is the original identity and protector of the culture of this nation. The RSS has always been the protector of the “Right to self-determination” of the tribal society, along with making their life easier and bringing them into the mainstream. Through one lakh Ekal Vidyalayas, the Sangh educates the tribal society and ensures their consciousness and identity, which was the objective of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s struggle was a fight for the protection of national identity, where he was fighting for the entire nation while maintaining the distinctiveness of tribal culture.
Missionary Conspiracy and Threat to Tribal Sva-dharma
Christian missionaries are exploiting the poverty of the tribal society and converting tribals to their religious fold (Christianity). Especially the tribal communities of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, Kerala, Nagaland, Jharkhand and Gujarat are being pushed towards Christianity. The political patronage received by Christian missionaries in the southern part of India for short-term political gain makes this more concerning. The tribal society is nature-centric; pushing it towards Christianity(a monotheistic idea that negates other possibilities of truth) creates a crisis for humanity. Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s life was against the tribal society being pushed toward Christianity. Christian missionaries view the tribal society as a number that can be easily converted to Christianity through English education and health assistance. The forces of conversion are making a wicked attempt to deprive the tribal society of their identity, Sva-dharma and culture, the resistance to which is crucial for safeguarding the national consciousness.
Tribal Society and Nation-Building
As India advances towards its Amrit Kaal (Golden Era), the celebration of ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’ and ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonstrates that the government is committed to realising the dream of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, tribal welfare is being given the highest priority in Uttar Pradesh. Through the efforts of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Tharu Tribal Museum has been constructed in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, to safeguard tribal traditions and the construction of tribal museums is proposed in Bijnor, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra. Under the Chief Minister’s leadership, Uttar Pradesh government is accelerating the building of Eklavya Model Residential Schools in the state in collaboration with the central government. While addressing the Janjatiye Bhagidari Utsav (2024), the Chief Minister accepted the ideas of Bhagwan Birsa Munda as a source of inspiration in the making of ‘Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'(One India-Great India).
In the path of education, health and economic empowerment of the tribal society, preserving traditional knowledge and cultural values is essential for our Sva-dharma, culture and self-respect. During the birth anniversary fortnight of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, we should take a pledge to follow the path shown by him and build such an India where everyone can be proud of their glorious past and contribute to the creation of an Atmanirbhar Bharat(Self-Reliant India).
