MP government to observe 'Tribal Pride Week' honouring Birsa Munda

The BJP government in Madhya Pradesh is observing ‘Tribal Pride Week’ from Wednesday to mark the birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda, with programmes planned across the state to highlight the contributions and heritage of Adivasi icons, according to agency reports.
Targeting the Opposition Congress, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that despite being in power at the Centre for a long period, the party failed to accord due respect to tribal communities.The state government and the BJP would jointly hold state-level events in Jabalpur on November 14, Dhar on November 15 and Khandwa on November 16, Yadav said at a press conference here on Tuesday.He said cultural and literary programmes highlighting the contributions of tribal heroes, along with adivasi dances, plays and music, would be organised in government schools run by the Tribal Affairs and Scheduled Development Department across the state.‘Tribal Pride Chaupal’ programmes would be held from November 18 to 20 in selected villages in all tribal development blocks, with participation from people’s representatives and social workers from adivasi communities, Yadav said.
The programmes are aimed at highlighting the BJP’s commitment to tribal communities and their development, the CM said.The BJP has fulfilled its promise of according respect to tribal communities by promoting their political leadership in Madhya Pradesh and through various government schemes, he stated.The CM said that the Congress, despite being in power at the Centre for a long time, failed to accord due respect to tribal communities.“The Congress has done no work for tribal communities,” he said, asking the Opposition party to explain what it had done for their dignity.
BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal said legendary freedom fighter Munda had instilled a sense of self-respect and freedom among tribal communities. The ruling party would observe ‘Tribal Pride Week’ from November 11 to 18 in his memory.“Under this initiative, the BJP, in coordination with the ST communities and the government, will work to take the contributions of tribal heroes, their glorious heritage, folk art and culture to the people,” he stated.
Madhya Pradesh is among the states with a sizeable tribal population, making the observance of Tribal Pride Day particularly significant, Khandelwal noted.He said cultural rallies spanning two to three kilometres would be organised in every district and buildings, roads, squares, parks and other public places would be named after tribal icons.The state government is also preparing to name an important location after a tribal hero, Khandelwal added.