About Birsa Munda Birth Anniversary
The General Administration Department (GAD) of the Madhya Pradesh State government has announced a gazetted holiday on the death anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda on June 9th.
According to the order issued by GAD deputy secretary DK Nagendra, a restricted holiday was declared on the death anniversary of Birsa Munda in 2020. This holiday has now been converted into a gazetted holiday from 2021 onwards.
Birsa Munda was born on 15 November 1875, in the Lohardaga district of Bengal Presidency — now in Khunti district of Jharkhand. He became an Indian tribal freedom fighter, religious leader, and folk hero. He spearheaded a tribal religious millenarian movement that arose in the Bengal Presidency (now Jharkhand) in the late 19th century, during the British Raj, thereby making him an important figure in the history of the Indian independence movement.
He was arrested at Jamkopai forest in Chakradharpur in February 1900. According to Deputy commissioner Ranchi, vide letter, 460 tribals were made accused in 15 different criminal cases, out of which 63 were convicted. One was sentenced to death, 39 to transportation for life and 23 to imprisoned for terms up to fourteen years. There were six deaths, including that of Birsa Munda in the prison during trials. Birsa Munda died in jail on June 9th 1900.
His portrait hangs in the Indian Parliament Museum; he is the only tribal leader to have been so honored.
Given that Birsa Munda is highly revered among tribals in Madhya Pradesh. political analysts believe that this move has been taken by the current dispensation to appease tribal voters that constitute over 21% of the total population. Assembly elections are due in Madhya Pradesh in 2023.
