Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], November 10 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday said that the state would hold large-scale events to mark the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda on November 14, 15 and 16, with state-level programmes scheduled in Jabalpur, Dhar, and Khandwa.
While addressing a press conference at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in Bhopal, CM Yadav added that the celebrations would be organised jointly by the state government and the organisation, with a focus on highlighting the contributions of tribal freedom fighters and bringing their legacy before the public.
“Since Madhya Pradesh is a large state, celebrating Birsa Munda Jayanti at a single location on one day would not be sufficient. Therefore, we have decided to organise major events at three prominent locations across different regions of the state on November 14, 15 and 16. The major state-level events will be organised by the state government. In addition, programmes will be held in all our hostels and schools across tribal-dominated blocks through the respective departments. Several such activities have been planned at the government level,” the CM said.
He added, “The first programme will be held in Jabalpur on November 14, followed by a major event in Dhar on November 15, coinciding with Birsa Munda's birth anniversary, and another programme in Khandwa on November 16. The government and the organisation (BJP) will jointly organise three major programmes in Khandwa, Jabalpur and Dhar. Through these celebrations of Birsa Munda Jayanti, we aim to reaffirm our commitment to society and development, while also bringing the contributions of several tribal heroes, whose stories have so far remained largely unexplored, before the public.”
The Chief Minister further said the government was committed to honouring tribal leaders and freedom fighters, including Birsa Munda, Tantya Mama, Raja Shankar Shah and Raghunath Shah, whose contributions to the country’s freedom struggle and history deserved wider recognition.
He also highlighted the representation of tribal leaders in the Union and state governments, stating that Madhya Pradesh has two tribal Union Ministers, Savitri Thakur and Durga Das Uikey, while several tribal leaders are part of the state Cabinet.
“We are fortunate that Madhya Pradesh has one of the largest tribal populations in the country. We have strengthened tribal representation, with two Union Ministers from the state and several tribal leaders in the state Cabinet... This reflects the fundamental difference between the BJP and Congress: our leadership delivers on its promises. We continue to honour our tribal heroes. Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose birth anniversary the Prime Minister is using to advance his vision. We take pride in remembering our tribal heroes through their birth anniversaries, sacrifices and contributions..,” the CM added.
Meanwhile, BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal said the week-long celebrations would be organised from November 11 to 18, focusing on tribal identity, folk art, culture and overall development.
“From November 11 to 18, an extensive programme will be organised to celebrate Tribal Pride Day, focusing on tribal identity, folk art, culture and overall development. There will be three major events (state-level programs as mentioned by CM). Apart from this, our organisation will take out rallies in every district in the form of grand cultural processions covering a distance of two to three kilometres,” Khandelwal said. (ANI)
MP to celebrate Birsa Munda Jayanti with state-level events in Jabalpur, Dhar and Khandwa: CM
