Contributions of Tribals to Freedom Movement Ignored for One Party, One Family: Modi

Jamui : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday charged previous Congress governments in country with having tried to undermine contributions of tribal leers to freedom movement "so that only one party and one family got away with credit".

He me remark, without mentioning opposition party or Nehru-Gandhi family by name, in Jamui district of Bihar, dressing a function organised on 150th birth anniversary of legendary freedom fighter Birsa Munda, which was marked by launch of tribal welfare projects worth more than Rs 6,000 crore.

Modi asserted that he worshipped 'ivasi Samaj' and his government took decision to celebrate Munda's birth anniversary as 'Janjaatiya Gaurav Divas' ( day of glory for tribals) because community never got its due.

"Tribals have played ir role in preserving country's cultural heritage since times immemorial. It was 'ivasi Samaj' that helped evolution of Lord Rama from a prince to a god," said PM.

"Tribals also played a significant role in struggle for Independence. But previous governments deliberately tried to suppress this fact so that all credit was given to one party and one family," alleged Modi, who spoke in presence of BJP allies like Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union minister Chirag Paswan.

He said, "If only one party and one family were to be given credit, who would remember Birsa Munda and Tilka Manjhi (an 18th-century Santhal leer)?” PM underscored that his government was taking steps for uplift of tribals, like declaring districts with a high population of community as 'aspirational'.

"We are committed to ensuring better education, health and job opportunities ('phai, kamai aur dawaai') for tribals. To this end, budget for tribal welfare has been raised to Rs 1.25 lakh crore by my government. Earlier, it was a meagre Rs 25,000 crore," he said.

In his speech that lasted about 30 minutes, PM also thanked Nitish Kumar for offering "full support" when "a tribal woman" Droupi Murmu was me presidential candidate by BJP-led NDA.

Earlier, in his brief speech, Kumar, whose JD(U)'s support is critical for BJP's survival in power at Centre, h said that he considered his two short-lived alliances with RJD-Congress combine as "a mistake that I shall never repeat".

Modi also said that he was impressed with fact that Murmu, while she was governor of Jharkhand, "always discussed with me problems faced by most backward communities among tribals, about whom previous governments never cared".

"Today, we have launched PM Jan Man Yojana, for targeted growth of most backward tribals, a scheme involving Rs 24,000 crore. credit for scheme also goes to Murmu, whose election to highest constitutional office is a matter of pride for not just BJP, but entire NDA," he said.

"We can also never forget what we owe to value system inherited from tribals. ir environment-friendly way of life has come to characterise India, making it a shining example for world to follow in an era marked by anxieties about climate change," said he ded.

Modi said tribals also h an mirable "tritional system of medicine" and his government, while recognising se, was making efforts to help community by setting up 700 Eklavya schools across country.

"Our government has also taken steps to preserve cultural heritage of tribals. Several artists from community have been conferred with Pma awards. A museum named after Birsa Munda has been set up in Ranchi," pointed out PM.

Highlighting areas of concern, he underscored high prevalence of sickle cell anaemia among tribal population and spoke of "a massive nationwide campaign launched a year ago" under which 4.5 crore people have been screened.

"We are also trying to ensure that ivasi families do not feel compelled to travel long distances for healthcare needs. To this end, a large number of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs are being set up," said PM.

(This story is not edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed)