India is called a soil, the mother of great people. Ironically if we look at any main public place, services or schemes, they are named after the Nehru clan which called it 'Gandhis'. Not a single political party but a single family has its names on literally everything in our nation. Like the kids between the age of 4 to 15 years who have shown an exceptional in any field including academics, arts, culture and sports etc. are eligible for this award. One Gold Medal and 35 silver Medals (one for each State/UT) are awarded with 'Manav Seva' award. Wait... it’s the "Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award" given by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Why Rajiv Gandhi's name? Just no answer!
But this Congressi trend to impose a particular family name has done huge injustice on Indians. The common Indian knows who’s who in greater Gandhi family but if you ask anyone “Who was Birsa Munda?” instead of answer, your own question will be pointed towards you. The matter of fact is, we, Indians know ‘Nehru Gandhi’ clan but we don’t know Birsa Munda or Lahuji Vastad or even first revolutionary Vasudev Balwant Phadke.
But really, who was Birsa Munda?Paying his tributes to Birsa Munda, President Ramnath Kovind says: Tributes to freedom fighter and national hero 'Dharti Aba' Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary.”
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has bowed to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his Jayanti.
“I bow to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his Jayanti. His indomitable courage is a source of motivation. Inspired by the life of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, we are working towards empowerment of our tribal communities, who are India’s pride”, the Prime Minister said.
Jharkhand Governor Droupadi Murmu unveiled the prototype of Bhagwan Birsa Munda's statue at a function here on Monday.
Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das also tweeted in respect of Birsa Munda saying that let the remenbarance of Birsa give the strength to him and the citizen of Jharkhand.
Why the President and Prime Minister paid respect to Birsa Munda. Who was Birsa Munda.
Let’s unfurl the pages of the chapters of history which saw the great Birsa Munda, the tribal leader and the folk hero took upon the British rule.
Birsa Munda (also known as Dharti Abba) was an Indian tribal freedom fighter
and a folk hero, who belonged to the Munda tribe, and was behind the Millenarian movement that rose in the tribal belt of modern day Bihar, andJharkhand during the British Raj, in the late 19th century.
A visionary and great fredom fighter, Birsa saw the injustice meted out to his felllow tribals. He organised them in a group and led agitation against forceful grabbing of the land of tribals by non-tribals and then ruler of the country-Britishers. His movement was aimed to prevent his fellow tribals from becoming bonded labourers and to check exploitation of their wealth. Birsa motivated tribals to adhere to their rich culture and rituals and asked them not budge under any pressure
His birth anniversary which falls on 15 November, is still celebrated by tribal people in as far as Mysore and Kodagu districts in Karnataka, and official function takes place at his Samadhi Sthal, at Kokar Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand.
He died at a very young age of 25 years but his deeds and agitations shattered the roots of Britishers. His movement forced the Colonial Government for the promulgation of the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908. This act was the outcome of his dedicated struggle against the discrimination experienced by the tribals.
He was arrested on 3 March 1900 in Jamkopai forest, Chakradharpur while he was sleeping along his tribal guerrilla army which was fighting against British forces. About 460 tribal people were arrested of which one was given with capital punishment, 39 were awarded for transportation for life and 23 for 14 years jail. Birsa Munda died in Ranchi Jail on 9 June 1900 through cholera.
Though the British left India after squeezing everything from it, the colonial mindset prevailed with those who ruled India after Britishers. India got independence from British but not the mindset which disregarded what is truly Indian, the Indian-ness, the Indian ethos and value system. Many like Birsa Munda were purposely kept hidden and ignored and a new creed of dynasty politics driven individuals were portrayed as the stakeholders of freedom struggle; ironically those who never ‘struggled’ against British and maintained to be friends with them. Now, when It’s the time of awakening of a New India, every Indian must inspire himself o9r herself to overthrow the fake history, get freedom from the distorted history and dig out the real history of India. This will be the true tribute to the Dharti Aba, the true son of the soil and a great freedom fighter.