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Call for statewide observance of Birsa Munda martyrdom day, protect his legacy

By A Representative 
More than 200 prominent Adivasi-Mulvasi leaders, academics, activists, representatives of mass organizations and traditional self-governance bodies have jointly appealed to the people of Jharkhand to observe June 9, the martyrdom day of tribal icon and freedom fighter Birsa Munda, by commemorating his struggles, culture and the historic Ulgulan movement across the state.
In a joint statement issued on Friday, the signatories urged Adivasis and all Jharkhandis to reaffirm their commitment to protecting Birsa Munda’s legacy from what they described as “Manuvadi organizations” such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Janajati Suraksha Manch and the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
The appeal has been endorsed by a wide spectrum of socio-political leaders, including former minister Geetashree Oraon, former legislators Bahadur Oraon and Mangal Singh Bobonga, along with several community leaders and activists. Among the intellectuals who signed the appeal are Jacinta Kerketta, Joseph Bara, Anuj Lugun and Nitish Khalkho.
A number of organizations have also backed the statement, including the Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, JOHAR, Birsa Sena and several traditional Gram Sabha and Adivasi rights groups.
The statement criticizes the “Janajati Sanskritik Samagam” held in Delhi on May 24 and organized by the Janajati Suraksha Manch. According to the signatories, speakers at the event, including Amit Shah, repeatedly referred to tribal communities as “Vanvasis” rather than “Adivasis.” They alleged that the event failed to highlight Birsa Munda’s struggle for jal, jangal and jameen or his resistance against exploitation and colonial rule.
The signatories argued that organizations affiliated with the RSS avoid the term “Adivasi” because they seek to assimilate tribal communities within a broader Hindu social framework. They further alleged that campaigns such as “Sarna-Sanatan Ek” and demands for the delisting of Christian Adivasis from the Scheduled Tribes category threaten tribal identity and unity.
The statement maintains that Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan movement against British colonial rule and exploitative social forces laid the foundation for the creation of Jharkhand. It accuses Sangh-affiliated organizations of attempting to reinterpret this history and criticizes past efforts by the BJP-led government under Raghubar Das to amend the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, which the signatories described as a legacy of the Ulgulan movement.
The appeal also alleges that both state and central governments have undermined Adivasi autonomy and opposed demands for formal recognition of indigenous religious traditions through a separate religious code in the national census.
Calling on all Adivasis, Jharkhandis and supporters of indigenous rights, the signatories urged people to use Birsa Munda’s death anniversary to spread awareness about his legacy and to defend what they described as the historical and cultural foundations of the Adivasi movement.

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