New Delhi
Continuing with its endeavour to highlight the contribution of tribal freedom fighters, the unsung heroes, in India’s freedom struggle, the Centre has come out with a comic book on them.
This collection of stories recalls the sacrifices of some of the bravest men and women who inspired their tribes and gave up their lives to fight British rule. The move is aimed at creating awareness among the youth and children about the supreme sacrifice and patriotism of our lesser known heroes of freedom struggle, officials said.
On the occasion, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah, Union Minister for Culture, G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs & Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Minister of State for External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi were present.
As part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Culture has brought out pictorial books on 75 freedom fighters in collaboration with Amar Chitra Katha. The first Amar Chitra Katha comic book depicted India’s 20 Women Unsung Heroes while the and second comic book had stories of 15 women elected to the Constituent Assembly. Both were released earlier.
The Modi Government has been focusing on the Scheduled Tribes, of late. While the BJP-led NDA backed Droupadi Murmu to become the first tribal President of India, it announced the observance of tribal icon Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary every year as Janjaatiya Gaurav Diwas.
The Government is already in the process of setting up nine museums after tribal freedom fighters in different States with the first one on Birsa Munda inaugurated on November 15 last year. November 15 happens to be Birsa’s birthday.
Different State governments with BJP dispensations like Madhya Pradesh and Manipur too have gone ahead with renaming railway stations after tribal freedom fighters or setting up their statues. The tribal focus comes ahead of Assembly polls in many States and with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The BJP has seen its tribal seats increase in Lok Sabha but its share of reserved ST seats in Assemblies has take a severe hit over the last few years. The BJP wants to win back the tribals, who have traditionally been Congress voters.
The comic book on the tribal freedom fighters is the third that the Ministry has released as part of its collaboration with ACK.
DEDICATED TO THE TRIBAL FREEDOM FIGHTERS
- Birsa Munda: He belonged to the Munda tribe and became a legend in his opposition to the British. He led the Mundas in a series of confrontations with them. He was caught and imprisoned and according to British records, died of cholera. He was just 25 years old when he died. Tribals consider him Bhagwan (God).
- Tilka Majhi: He rebelled against the atrocities of the British East India Company. Mobilised the Pahadia tribe to which he belonged and raided the Company treasury. He was hanged.
- Thalakkal Chanthu: A Kurichiyar tribal, he was an invaluable part of Pazhassi Raja’s war against the East India Company. He was hanged.
- Budhu Bhagat: The Oraon tribal was shot down in one of his many encounters with the British, along with his brother, seven sons and 150 men from his tribe.
- Tirot Singh: The Khasi chief realised the duplicity of the British and waged war against them. He was captured, tortured and imprisoned. He died in prison.
- Raghoji Bhangre: He belonged to the Mahadeo Koli tribe. He revolted against the British and continued his struggle even though his mother was imprisoned. He was captured and hanged.
- Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu: From the Santhal community, they revolted against the British and their stooges. They led the Santhals in the Hul rebellion. Both were betrayed, caught and hanged.
- Rendo Manjhi and Chakra Bisoi: The two Khond tribals objected to the British interfering in their customs. Rendo was caught and hanged while Chakra became a fugitive and died in hiding.
- Nilambar and Pitamber: Inspired by the Uprising in Meerut, the duo, belonging to the Bhogta clan of the Kharwar tribe, revolted and led their people to rise up against British oppression. They were both captured and hanged.
- Ramji Gond: The Gond tribal rose against the feudal system by which wealthy landlords oppressed the poor with the support of the British. He was caught and hanged,
- Telanga Kharia: The Kharia tribal refused to accept the tax system of the British and their governance. He insisted that they follow their traditional method of self-governance and organized raids on the treasury. He was betrayed and shot dead.
- Tantiya Bhil: Popular as the Robin Hood of the Central Provinces, he robbed trains carrying British wealth and distributed it among his tribe, the Bhils. He was trapped and hanged.
- Major Paona Brajabasi: Hailing from Manipur, he fought to fend the kingdom of Manipur. He was the hero of the Anglo-Manipur war. He fought like a lion but was overpowered and beheaded.
- Matmur Jamoh: The Adi tribal from Arunachal Pradesh rebelled against the arrogance of the British. He and his companions surrendered to the British as their villages were being burnt. They were sent to the Cellular Jail and died there.
- Tana Bhagat: Belonging to the Oraon tribe, he was inspired by a divine vision to preach to his people and make them aware of the exploitation of their British overlords. He was caught and tortured severely. He was released, a broken man, and died subsequently.
- Malati Mem: From the Tea-garden community, she was inspired to join Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement. She fought against the British monopoly over opium and educated her people about the dangers of opium addiction. During an encounter with the police, she was shot dead.
- Laxman Naik: The Bhuyan tribal was also inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and campaigned extensively to get the tribes to join the freedom movement. The British framed him for the killing of a friend and he was hanged to death.
- Helen Lepcha: From the Lepcha tribe, she was an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi. Her influence over her people made the British restless. She was shot at, imprisoned and hounded but she never lost courage. In 1941, she helped Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose escape from house arrest and travel to Germany. She was awarded the Tamra Patra for her invaluable contribution to the freedom struggle.
- Pulimaya Devi Podar: She heard of Mahatma Gandhi when she was in school and wanted to join the freedom struggle immediately. Despite stiff opposition from her family she joined the movement after her studies and encouraged women to join her. She was imprisoned for her participation in protests. After independence, she continued to serve her people and was awarded the title of ‘Swatantra Sainani’.
