"Forests, hills and water bodies are centres of faith": Amit Shah hails tribal identity and culture
New Delhi, May 24
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that tribal icon Birsa Munda had spread the message of protecting faith, forests, and identity among tribal communities across the country, asserting that the freedom fighter's Ulgulan movement had shaken the foundations of British rule.
Addressing the 'Janjati Sanskritik Samagam' in Delhi, Shah said the year marks the 150th birth anniversary of Birsa Munda and highlighted his role in uniting tribal communities despite the lack of communication facilities during that era.
"The year in which we are meeting today is the 150th birth anniversary year of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The Ulgulan (rebellion) movement shook the foundations of the British rule. At that time, despite the absence of any communication facilities, Bhagwan Birsa Munda spread the message from Jharkhand to Gujarat and across all of India to the tribal communities--that this is our country, our religion is the true religion, and no one can occupy our forests," said Amit Shah.
The Union Home Minister further said that forests, hills, and water bodies are central to the faith, livelihood, and cultural identity of tribal communities. He described the tribal way of life as the "greatest sustainable model" and said tribal communities had upheld the principle of "unity in diversity and diversity in unity" without written rules.
"For our tribal brothers, these water bodies, forests, and hills are centers of faith, a means of livelihood, and an impregnable fortress for the protection of their identity and culture. Today, if there is the greatest sustainable model, it is the one created by our tribal communities, and we have come forward to protect it. Without any written rules, all tribes have worked to realise the mantra of 'unity in diversity and diversity in unity'," said Shah.
The Home Minister also underlined the constitutional right of every individual to practise their faith with dignity and said that religion should not be changed through "greed, temptation, or force."
"Our Constitution makers have given every individual the right to live with self-respect in their original faith. No one can convert anyone's religion through greed, temptation, or force. And I believe that if the tribal congregation (Vanvasi Kumbh) gathered here today resolves that no matter what our faith is, we will continue to live our lives through the various types of beliefs that tribal communities hold, it will be significant," said Amit Shah.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally someone in power acknowledging that tribal communities are the original environmentalists! They've been protecting our forests for centuries without any corporate sustainability goals. The government should stop diverting forest land for industries and let tribals manage their own resources. Janjati culture is India's real heritage! 🙏
This is a welcome message but I'm cautiously optimistic. Many tribal communities in Bastar still face displacement for development projects. And the conversion issue - yes, forced conversions are wrong, but tribals should also have the right to choose their faith freely. Let's focus on preserving their culture without making it a political tool.
The comment about "unity in diversity without written rules" is spot on. Tribal governance systems are ancient democracies. But let's remember - Birsa Munda wasn't just about culture, he led an armed rebellion against British oppression. We should teach real tribal history in schools, not just symbolic gestures. Vacch bachchon ko sahi itihaas batao! 📚
Living in the US, I've never heard about Birsa Munda's rebellion until reading this. Remarkable that one man united tribes across such distances without modern communication. The sustainable model of tribal life is something the West could learn from. India must protect these indigenous wisdom traditions. 🌏
The part about "no conversion through greed or force" is very significant. Many tribal families in Odisha have faced pressure from missionaries and also from Hindutva groups. True freedom means respecting everyone's choice without coercion. Shah sahab should ensure equal protection for all communities, including religious minorities
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