Ranchi: Pradesh Congress Committee held a tribute programme today to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Dharti Aba Birsa Munda and the 25th anniversary of Jharkhand State Formation. The day began with party leaders offering floral tributes at Birsa Munda’s memorial in Kokar, where in-charge K. Raju and state president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh observed a moment of silence in his memory.
The delegation then proceeded to Rampur Bazar, Nagpur, where they garlanded a statue of Birsa Munda in the presence of a large number of local residents. Addressing the gathering after the tribute, in-charge K. Raju said the core purpose behind Jharkhand’s creation was to safeguard the constitutional rights of tribal communities, especially their claim over jal, jangal and jameen. He said Congress and its allies have protected tribal identity and rights through provisions such as the CNT–SPT Acts, PESA and Forest Rights legislation, adding that Birsa Munda’s struggle remains the soul of Jharkhand.
Raju said Jharkhand’s 25-year journey proves that meaningful development depends on equal participation of tribal communities in decision-making. He reaffirmed that the first right over land and natural resources belongs to the original inhabitants and said Congress will continue to champion this cause. Highlighting women’s empowerment, he noted that Adivasi women have always guided society and that Congress is committed to strengthening them through education, healthcare, safety and economic opportunities.
State president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh said Birsa Munda’s ideology forms the moral core of the organisation and that Jharkhand’s dignity can be protected only by translating his values into action on the ground. He pledged that the state unit would remain the voice of every tribal family and continue the fight for their rights.
Co-incharge Dr. Bela Prasad said Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary is a reminder of a legacy of justice and struggle that inspired the entire nation. He called for collective commitment towards building an equitable and sensitive Jharkhand that respects rights and dignity.
The programme saw the participation of legislature party leader Pradeep Yadav, deputy leader Rajesh Kachhap, Rajesh Thakur, Subodh Kant Sahay, Dr. Prakash, Ravindra Singh, Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, Rakesh Sinha, Satish Paul Munzni, Amul Neeraj Khalkho, Gajendra Singh, Kedar Paswan, Shantanu Mishra, Lal Kishore Nath Shahdev, Dr. Rakesh, Kiran Mahato, Kumar Raja, Dr. Tauseef, district president Somnath Munda, Shahbaz Ahmad, Madhav Kashyap, Vijay Toppo, Kalyan Linda, Laxman Lakra, Chamu Beck, Anju Lakra, Rani Kujur, Maryam Lakra, Asha Lakra and many other workers, residents and Congress members.