The State Government has planned to run a special vaccination drive for Tana Bhagats, said Health Minister Banna Gupta on Wednesday while paying homage to Lord Birsa Munda by garlanding the statue situated at Birsa Chowk in the State Capital.
Gupta said that through a special vaccination drive Tana Bhagats will be benefited from the vaccine. “Tana Bhagat still lives their life following the principles of Mahatma Gandhi. The State Government considers them as their heritage. In such a situation, it is the duty of the Government to give them the benefit of vaccination for their safety. The Health Department has been directed to run a special vaccination campaign for Tana Bhagats to benefit them from vaccination,”he added.
Tana Bhagat's movement in Jharkhand is almost nine decades old. Jatra Tana Bhagat is considered its founder. Under his leadership, Tana Bhagat joined Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent movement in the Chotanagpur region of Jharkhand demanding waiver of land rent, cow protection and complete ban on cow slaughter. Even today Tana Bhagat considers Mahatma Gandhi as his ideal.
Simplicity is the epitome of their lifestyle. Most people still do not have slippers and shoes on their feet. They believe that we will not use things made of leather. Tana Bhagat originally comes from Oraon tribal society. Their ideology, food and unwavering support for Gandhiji, undying love and faith separate them.
Tana Bhagats are seen in Ranchi, Lohardaga, Gumla, Simdega, Khunti. Basically about 5000 Tana Bhagat families live in this area. Their number is about 30,000. After independence, the government imposed tax on their land. Tana Bhagat protested this through agitation. Keep on moving continuously. As a result, their land rent and balance have been waived off in recent times. In the early days the rent was waived off, but the balance was collected.