BJP to mark Janjatiya Gaurav Divas with week-long nationwide programmes

MP Gajendra Singh Patel. File | Photo Credit: PTI

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will celebrate Janjatiya Gaurav Divas from November 11 to 18, organising over 1,000 programmes across 240 tribal-dominated districts and 568 Assembly constituencies to mark the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Also read | Birsa Munda believed in modern education and speaking out against societal ills: PM

BJP national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Gajendra Patel said on Wednesday (November 11, 2026) said the special week-long initiative will highlight the positive transformations in the lives of tribal and Adivasi communities.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda was born on November 15, 1875, in Ulihatu village, Khunti district, Jharkhand. “At that time, the British subjected the tribal community to various forms of oppression over issues relating to land and religious conversion. Young Birsa Munda fought against the British in resistance to these atrocities. At the young age of just 25, he became revered as Bhagwan,” he said.

“He advocated abstaining from intoxicants, protecting one’s religion and culture, and fighting for land rights. Through this struggle, he secured a place of honour for the Adivasi community across the country. He led the Ulgulan that he initiated as a great revolution. He gave the slogan, ‘Abua Dishum, Abua Raj’, meaning ‘Our Country, Our Rule’. On June 9, 1900, at the young age of just 25, the British poisoned him to death in Ranchi Jail,” he added.

He also recounted the contributions of other prominent tribal revolutionaries, including Tilka Manjhi, Sidhu-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, Phulo-Jhano, Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, Telangana Kharia, Budhu Bhagat, Tantya Mama Bhil, Rani Durgavati, Alluri Sitarama Raju, Komaram Bheem, and Rani Gaidinliu.

The BJP leader noted that the Union Government declared November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas in 2021. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Droupadi Murmu became the country’s first tribal President in 2022,” he said.

Mr. Patel highlighted key initiatives including PM JANMAN, the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, Eklavya Model Residential Schools, scholarships, healthcare, livelihood support, and forest rights. He also cited increased tribal welfare spending and political representation, and accused previous Congress governments of neglecting tribal communities.

Published - November 11, 2026 09:17 pm IST