Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad(ABVP) commenced the “Bhagwan Birsa Sandesh Yatra” on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, an icon of India’s freedom movement and a symbol of tribal pride. The Yatra began with floral tributes and a ceremonial rath pujan at his birthplace in Ulihatu, located in the Khunti district of Jharkhand.
After its commencement, the Sandesh Yatra moved through various districts of India and entered Awadh, passing through Raebareli, Barabanki, Lavkushnagar and several other districts. It then reached Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow, where ABVP karyakartas welcomed it with great enthusiasm. The Yatra further proceeded to the University of Lucknow, where ABVP Awadh Secretary Pushpendra Bajpai, along with numerous karyakartas, received it with traditional drums and festive spirit. At the University of Lucknow, floral tributes were offered to the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda before the Yatra departed for Sitapur.
A symposium was organised at St. Joseph College on Sitapur Road to welcome the Yatra. The event was graced by ABVP National President Prof. Raj Sharan Shahi as the chief guest; Subhash, Zonal Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was the as distinguished guest. St. Joseph College Chairman Dr. Anil Agarwal, Joginder Singh Gautam and Bhagwan Birsa Sandesh Yatra State Convenor & ABVP National Joint Organising Secretary Govind Nayak were present.
The ‘Bhagwan Birsa Sandesh Yatra’ commenced from Ulihatu and will travel through Khunti, Chakradharpur, Chaibasa, Seraikela, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Gumla, Lohardaga, Latehar, Modinagar, Garhwa, Dudhinagar, Robertsganj, Varanasi, Jaunpur, Kushbhawanpur, Raebareli, Lucknow, Sitapur, Bareilly, Moradabad and Saharanpur before reaching ABVP’s 71st National Conference venue at Parade Ground, Dehradun, on 27 November. Throughout the journey, symposia, street plays, exhibitions and public outreach programmes will be organised to spread awareness about Birsa Munda’s contributions to tribal identity and cultural pride.
Addressing the symposium, ABVP National President Prof. Raj Sharan Shahi said that Birsa Munda, affectionately known as “Dharti Aba”, holds an extraordinary place in India’s freedom struggle. Born on November 15,1875 in Ulihatu, he belonged to the Munda tribe and emerged as a powerful leader advocating for the rights of the Adivasi community.
Subhash, Zonal Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, said that Birsa Munda’s life represents the struggle of the tribal community against oppression and hardship. Despite growing up in poverty, he pursued education and strongly resisted missionary attempts that aimed to undermine the tribal culture. He mobilised his community and worked to preserve their social, cultural and religious identity.
Dr. Anil Agarwal stated that Birsa Munda led the historic Ulgulan (Great Revolt) of 1899–1900 to safeguard the rights of the tribal community. He challenged the exploitative land policies of the British and fought relentlessly to restore land to the Adivasis.
ABVP Awadh Secretary Pushpendra Bajpai said, “The Bhagwan Birsa Sandesh Yatra, which commenced from his birthplace Ulihatu, is traversing various states and will conclude at ABVP’s National Conference in Dehradun. This Yatra is crucial for awakening Bharat’s sense of self-realisation. Through various activities, we aim to convey the teachings and message of Bhagwan Birsa to the masses”.
