Janjatiya Gaurav Divas: 15th November

Why in News

The Union Cabinet has approved 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to commemorate the brave tribal freedom fighters as part of the year-long celebrations of 75 years of India’s Independence.

Key Points

  • About:
    • The Janjatiya Gaurav Divas will be celebrated every year to recognize the efforts of the tribals in the preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of Indian values of national pride, valour, and hospitality.
      • They held several tribal movements across different regions of India against the British colonial rule. These tribal communities include Tamars, Santhals, Khasis, Bhils, Mizos, and Kols to name a few.
    • A tribal freedom fighter museum at Ranchi would be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
    • 15th November also marks the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda who is revered as God by tribal communities across India.
  • Tribal Freedom Fighters:
    • Birsa Munda: 
      • He was born on 15th November 1875. He belonged to the Munda tribe.
      • He spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement during British rule in the late 19th century across the tribal belt of modern-day Jharkhand and Bihar.
    • Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh: 
      • He is considered the Pride of Sonakhan in Chhattisgarh, he looted trader’s grain stock and distributed them amongst the poor after the 1856 famine.
      • The sacrifice of Veer Narayan Singh made him a tribal leader and he became the first martyr from Chhattisgarh in the independence struggle of 1857.
    • Shri Alluri Seetha Ram Raju: 
      • He was born on 4th July, 1897 in a village called Mogallu near Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh.
      • Alluri is best remembered for leading the Rampa Rebellion against the British in which he organised the tribal people of Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts to revolt against the foreigners.
      • He was inspired by the revolutionaries of Bengal to fight against the British government.
    • Rani Gaidinliu:  
      • She was a Naga spiritual and political leader who led a revolt against British rule in India. At the age of 13, she joined the Heraka religious movement of her cousin Haipou Jadonang.
      • For her, the Naga people’s journey to freedom was part of India’s wider movement for freedom. She also spread the message of Gandhi ji in Manipur region.
    • Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu: 
      • On 30th June 1855, two years before the Great Revolt of 1857, two Santhal brothers Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu organised 10,000 Santhals and proclaimed a rebellion against the British.
      • The tribals took an oath to drive away from the British from their homeland. The Murmu brothers’ sisters Phulo and Jhano also played an active part in the rebellion.

Source: TH