RAIPUR: A political face-off has erupted between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party BJP and the opposition Congress in Chhattisgarh over whether Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary (November 15) should be observed as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas or Adivasi Gaurav Diwas.
What began as a dispute over nomenclature has escalated into an ideological clash concerning indigenous identity and constitutional terminology.
State Congress President Deepak Baij strongly objected to the BJP government's terminology, asserting that Birsa Munda is an icon of Adivasi pride and his birth anniversary must be celebrated as Adivasi Gaurav Diwas. Accusing the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of orchestrating a conspiracy to erase the distinct identity of indigenous communities by labelling them Janjati and Vanvasi, Baij pointed out that the ruling party had previously opposed World Adivasi Day and renamed the Primitive Caste Welfare Department.
"Merely changing names will not improve the education, healthcare, employment, or economic conditions of the community," Baij said, demanding that the government account for what tangible benefits tribal families have actually received from these rebranding exercises.
Hitting back at the Congress, BJP leader and state co-convenor of the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas programme, Vikas Markam, questioned the opposition's aversion to the term Janjati.
Markam stated that the term was thoughtfully enshrined in the Constitution by its framers, and objecting to it amounts to an insult to both the Constitution and Dr B R Ambedkar. BJP wants the scheduled tribes to remain aware and feel proud of their strong cultural heritage, the ruling regime asserted.
Accusing the Congress of spreading misinformation for political survival, Markam alleged that the party had historically sidelined prominent tribal leaders such as Mahendra Karma, Arvind Netam, and P.A. Sangma. In contrast, he highlighted the BJP's track record, citing the creation of a separate Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the official declaration of Birsa Munda Jayanti as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, and the rollout of targeted initiatives like PM-JANMAN, the Dharti Aaba campaign, and the expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
