Empowerment of tribal groups that have 26.3 per cent of Jharkhand’s total population is one of the major priorities of the ruling Government, assured Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday.
The CM was speaking during the State level programme organised in the honour of ‘Martyrs’ here. In addition, the CM said that nobody can snatch away the lands of tribal people until BJP is in power. The State registers total 32 tribes (8 primitives) inhabiting in different districts.
“Jharkhand is the land of Martyrs’ and great leaders, who not only played an important role in maintaining the tribal identity but also showed their courage during the tribal revolts against the atrocious British regime,” he said.
“All attempts will be made by the state government to give honour to martyrs. The initiatives being taken by the State government is in the favour of the tribal groups, who were till date merely seen as a vote bank. No opposition parties had ever shown any interest in bringing change in the lives of minority groups,” the CM added.
With a view to give a memorable tribute to the martyrs of Jharkhand who sacrificed their lives for the well-being of people and society, the ‘sacred soil’ collected from 4,562 panchayats including 32,620 villages covering all the 260 blocks of 24 district reached the State Capital on Wednesday. A grand procession was carried out from Morhabadi Ground to Jail More Park to mark the occasion.
In a much appreciated step, the State government in November 2018 declared collection of sanctified soil from the ‘Sarna-Masna’ Sthal of the martyrs who broke the tyranny of autocracy. The collected ‘sacred soil’ from the native places of the martyrs’ will be utilized in the carving of Dharti Abba – Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s statue being installed at the renovated ‘Old Birsa Munda Central Jail Campus’ near Shahid Nirmal Mahto Chowk.
Das on the occasion not only elaborately discussed about the sacrifices and the roles of each tribal martyr but also spoke about the State Government’s vision.
“The sacrifice of the martyrs will not be wasted but will inspire every generation. Keeping a holistic approach, the Jail More Park is being revamped. Along with, Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s statue, figurines of Sido-Kanhu, Diva-Kishun, Gaya Munda, Nilambar-Pitambar, Veer-Budhu Bhagat, Tana-Jatra Bhagat, Telanga Kharia including others who sacrificed their lives in 1857 revolts will be erected inside the park.
The park is being restored upholding tribal culture,” he said.
Further, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, GoI, Sudarshan Bhagat applauded the work of the state government, terming the efforts as a great move towards fortifying the dying tribal culture. “In the first of its kind attempt, the state government has taken an appropriate decision to gather sacred soil from the native places of Martyrs. The step will promote nationalist feelings among one and all. The renovated old jail campus is an accolade for all those who sacrificed their lives and we all must feel proud for this and acknowledge government’s attempt,” he said.
Minister, Department of Women, Child Development and Social Welfare, GoJ Louis Marandi including other dignitaries’ expressed their gratitude for holding a grand show in the honour of martyrs. Marandi said that the State government is taking all mandatory steps to bring change in the lives of tribal groups by introducing a range of schemes covering all sectors. The Jail More Park project conceived by the state government for endorsing tribal traditions has received a financial assistance of Rs 25 crore from the centre.