To commemorate the birth anniversary of visionary leader and sportsperson Jaipal Singh Munda, several programmes were organised across the State on Friday. At the residence of Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Ajun Munda a programme was organised to pay tributes to the leader.
On the occasion, the Minister said that the Constitution needs to assess the rights given to the tribals as the tribal societies cannot retain their rights without realizing their identities.
“The role played by Jaipal Singh Munda for the tribal society is unforgettable. As a member of the Constituent Assembly, he put the identities of the tribals extensively before the framers of the Constitution. And this is the reason that the tribal have different constitutional rights mentioned in the Constitution,” said Munda.
The tribal affairs minister further stated that Jaipal Singh Munda had a versatile personality and was known as Pramod in his village. “He was an ICS, a hockey player, a teacher, a leader and a social figure. He was the one to envisage a separate State of Jharkhand,” added Munda.
The Minister further stated that students should do a research on Jaipal Singh Munda and lectures should also be started on tribal leaders from across the country that have played an important role for the tribal society.
Former MLAs Vimla Pradhan and Shiv Shankar Oraon, Mayor Asha Lakra, newly elected MLA Naveen Jaiswal, Samit Lal, Deputy Mayor Sanjeev Vijaywargiya, former international hockey player Savitri Purti, National President of Bharat Munda Society Etwa Munda and several international hockey players were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, on the 117th birth anniversary of ‘Marang Gomke’ Jaipal Singh Munda members of Central Sarna Committee garlanded his statue at the Jaipal Singh stadium and discussed his biography.
“Most of the Jharkhandis are either not aware or have forgotten the father of Jharkhand’s separate state movement. His idol in the stadium is lying neglected while the size of the stadium which is in his name is also shrinking which is like an insult to him,” said Jaglal Pahan.
General Secretary Krishna Kant said that it is very important to include the biography of the great men of Jharkhand in the school curriculum so that the coming generations can take inspiration from them.
Chairman of the Central Committee Bablu Munda said that Jaipal Singh Munda had contributed immensely for the tribal. “After coming to India, the leader instead of propagating Christianity formed the Adivasi Mahasabha in 1938 to fight for the rights of the tribal. He asked for a separate state out of Bihar,”
The chairman further added that the name plate on the statue inside the stadium has only Jaipal Singh written on it which is unfortunate for the tribal society.
Patron Ram Sahay Singh Munda said that a tribal college and stadium should be opened on a large scale in the village Takra while Jaipal Singh Munda’s birthday should be declared as a State holiday.