President Droupadi Murmu, PM Modi pay tribute to Birsa Munda on 150th birth anniversary

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday paid homage to the revered freedom fighter Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda at the Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House complex in New Delhi on the occasion of “Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas”, marking his 150th birth anniversary.

President Murmu offered a floral tribute, placing flower petals at the idol of Birsa Munda at Prerna Sthal, commemorating the tribal leader’s struggle and legacy.

Several dignitaries were present on the occasion, including Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Harivansh, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, BJP MPs Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and Bansuri Swaraj, among others. The political leaders collectively paid their respects by offering floral tributes to the freedom fighter.

President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to Dharati Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda at Parliament House, New Delhi on his 150th birth anniversary. Since 2021, his birth anniversay is celebrated nationwide as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. pic.twitter.com/apcgFz5fz8

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 15, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi too paid tribute to veteran tribal leader Birsa Munda on his 150th birth anniversary. The Prime Minister remembered the veteran tribal leader for his unparalleled contribution to the country’s freedom movement.

He said that Munda’s struggle and sacrifices against the injustice of foreign rule will continue to inspire every generation in the country. He also extended greetings on the occasion of the Jharkhand Statehood Day, which also coincides with the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.

देश के महान स्वतंत्रता सेनानी भगवान बिरसा मुंडा जी को उनकी 150वीं जयंती पर शत-शत नमन। जनजातीय गौरव दिवस के इस पावन अवसर पर पूरा देश मातृभूमि के स्वाभिमान की रक्षा के लिए उनके अतुलनीय योगदान को श्रद्धापूर्वक स्मरण कर रहा है। विदेशी हुकूमत के अन्याय के खिलाफ उनका संघर्ष और बलिदान…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 15, 2025

PM Modi described the state as a land enriched with tribal culture and prayed for the region’s progress and prosperity. “On this sacred occasion of Tribal Pride Day, the entire nation is reverently remembering the unparalleled contribution of the great freedom fighter of the country, Lord Birsa Munda Ji, in protecting the pride of the motherland. Their struggle and sacrifice against the injustice of foreign rule will continue to inspire every generation. Hundredfold salutations to the great freedom fighter of the country, Bhagwan Birsa Munda Ji, on his 150th birth anniversary,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on ‘X’.

“Heartfelt greetings to all the residents of the glorious state of Jharkhand, enriched with tribal culture, on the occasion of the state’s foundation day. The history of this land of Lord Birsa Munda is filled with tales of courage, struggle, and self-respect. Today, on this special occasion, I extend my wishes for the progress and prosperity of the state along with all my family members in the state,” he added.

Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar on November 15, 2000, which happens to be the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda. Birsa Munda, who belonged to the Munda tribe, was born on November 15 in 1875.

During British rule in the late 19th century, he spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement across the tribal belt of modern-day Bihar and Jharkhand. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Birsa Munda Jayanti in the country and coincides with the Jharkhand Foundation Day. (ANI)

Meanwhile, the central government will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda with a national-level celebration of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in Gujarat’s Narmada district, to be presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event will be held at Dediapada, where the Prime Minister, in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, will unveil development projects worth over Rs 9,700 crore of the Central and State Governments.

To accelerate Gujarat’s development, the Central Government will present development projects worth Rs 7667 crore, and the State Government will present development projects worth Rs 2,112 crore to the state. In the evening, a special play on the life of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda will be staged at Ekta Nagar.

Additionally, a Centre of Competence at Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh and an Administrative/Training Building for the Tribal Research Institute at Imphal, Manipur.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the State Government organised Jan Jatiya Gaurav Rath Yatra across 14 tribal districts of Gujarat. The Yatra follows two routes: Umargam to Ekta Nagar and Ambaji to Ekta Nagar, and concluded on November 13, 2025, at Ekta Nagar.

As part of Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh 2025 celebrations, organisers held a national-level one-day Colloquy on the life of Birsa Munda at Ekta Nagar on November 1, 2025. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated a pavilion showcasing the life and legacy of Birsa Munda, along with 10 stalls promoting and selling traditional tribal handicrafts and culinary delicacies. (ANI)