BHOPAL: Countering the BJP’s Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas rally, state Congress on Monday organized a Birsa Mela, also to commemorate the tribal hero’s birth anniversary at the Agricultural University Ground in Jabalpur.
Addressing the gathering of tribal society members, former chief minister Kamal Nath said that if Congress comes to power, the government’s top priority would be development of tribal society.
“We have gathered here to remember the martyr who died in Ranchi jail at the age of 25. He fought for rights of tribals and against their economic exploitation,” Kamal Nath addressed the congregation. The senior Congress leader said that Birsa Munda fought against the concept of bonded labour and sacrificed his life for it.
“He earned reputation throughout the country working for the benefits of society. We are here to remember martyred hero Birsa Munda,” Nath said.
He recalled that Madhya Pradesh has an approximate 1.65 crore population of tribals and today this section is considered the most backward and their future is uncertain. “The tribal youth who will build a new society, country and state is worried about his future and this is the challenge before us. After 18 years, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan now remembers martyr Birsa Munda and is observing his birth anniversary with grandeur. Where was this thought for so many years?” Kamal Nath asked.
The veteran leader alleged that BJP’s tribal day function is being organized as a government function after construction of huge tents and dome by contractors. “And administrative contractors have been given the target of bringing crowds for the event. This kind of a function cannot honour tribal community or benefit anyone,” Nath argued. “BJP’s thoughts are always to misguide all sections of people, divert their attention. Our Shivrajji lies so much that even a lie would be ashamed,” he claimed.
Along with Birsa Munda, Kamal Nath also mentioned tribal heroes Tantiya Bhil, Rani Durgavati, Raja Shankar Shah, Raghunath Shah, Sangram Shah, Bhima Nayek for their contribution and struggle to bring awareness in society. He said the unfinished work of these heroes have to be taken forward and completed.
“If our government is formed, we will give top priority to the tribal society because it is their right. Senior leaders of our party Jamuna Devi, Kantilal Bhuria, Basantrao Uike and Dalbir Singh have made significant contributions while in the Congress party,” Kamal Nath said.
Addressing the function, Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh argued that Congress party’s ideology gave freedom to this country and a Constitution framed by BR Ambedkar which took the scheduled castes and tribes out of the exploitation of thousands of years.
