"Contributions of tribals were ignored when Congress was in power": Kiren Rijiju on Birsa Munda's 150th birth anniversary

New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday highlighted the significance of Bhagwan Birsa Munda's 150th birth anniversary, celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on November 15.
Rijiju emphasised that the tribal community feels respected under the PM Modi-led government, unlike during the Congress era, when their contributions were ignored.
According to Kiren Rijiju, this is the first time in history that tribals' contributions are being celebrated in such a grand manner. He asserted that the tribal community and all Indians are feeling a sense of pride, recognising it as a watershed moment in which the Modi government has shown respect for the tribals and acknowledged their contributions to the fight against the British.
The year-long celebration marking the 150th birth anniversary of 'Bhagwan' Birsa Munda has been hailed by Union Ministers as a pivotal moment for India's tribal community, granting them the national respect they have long deserved. The highlight of the celebration is the observance of November 15th as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas (Tribal Pride Day), an announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"We are all celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. PM Modi decided to observe 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. For the first time, every person belonging to the tribal community is feeling that tribals are being given respect under the PM Modi-led government. The contributions of tribals were ignored when the Congress was in power, and they tried to overlook the contributions of Bhagwan Birsa Munda...," said Rijiju.

He also attended the National Conference 2025 on "Dharti Aaba Birsa Munda: Philosophical Foundations of Resistance, Cultural Revival, and 150 Years of Tribal Assertion in Modern India" organised by Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, in collaboration with Chhatra Kalyan Nyas (CKN).
While speaking at an event in Rajdhani College, University of Delhi, he was vocal in his political assessment of the past, pointing out that such recognition was not possible under previous governments, and explicitly citing the Congress for having "done the work of forgetting Bhagwan Birsa Munda." Rijiju similarly stated that the contributions of tribals were "ignored" when the Congress was in power, and they "tried to overlook" Munda's immense role.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "We are all celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. PM Modi decided to observe 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas. For the first time, every person belonging to the tribal community is feeling that tribals are being given respect under the PM Modi-led government. The contributions of tribals were ignored when the Congress was in power, and they tried to overlook the contributions of Bhagwan Birsa Munda..."
The current administration views this celebration - marking 150 years of tribal assertion - as a step that honours a towering figure and strengthens the entire country by formally recognising the tribal community's central role in the nation's fabric. The declaration of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas ensures that the sacrifice and leadership of Bhagwan Birsa Munda are cemented as an eternal part of the National Pride Day celebrations. (ANI)