Indian President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, and Minister of State for Law and Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal paid floral tributes at the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda at Prerna Sthal in the Parliament House Complex on November 15, 2026, marking his 151st birth anniversary. The occasion is observed across India as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, a day established since 2021 to honor tribal freedom fighters and recognize the contributions of tribal communities to India's freedom struggle and national life.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda, revered as Dharti Aaba, is recognized as a freedom fighter and champion of tribal rights who led the Ulgulan movement against British colonial rule and exploitation. His leadership combined the struggle for freedom with the defense of tribal identity, cultural dignity, and self-respect, specifically asserting tribal rights over water, forests, and land. The celebration included performances by tribal folk artists from various states who showcased India's tribal cultural traditions at Prerna Sthal.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, in his message on social media platform X, described Birsa Munda as a vibrant symbol of tribal identity, self-respect, and patriotism whose Ulgulan movement emerged as a powerful mass movement against the exploitative system of British rule. Birla emphasized that Munda's struggle was not merely political resistance but a comprehensive pledge to protect the rights, cultural identity, and social justice of tribal communities. The Speaker noted that Munda also spread public awareness against social evils, superstition, and exploitation, and that his ideals strengthened the sense of self-respect, collective responsibility, and vigilance toward rights among tribal communities.