Sitapur,

22 Nov (HS): Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) commenced the “Bhagwan

Birsa Sandesh Yatra” on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan

Birsa Munda, an icon of India’s freedom movement and a symbol of tribal pride.

The Yatra began with floral tributes and a ceremonial rath pujan at his

birthplace in Ulihatu, located in the Khunti district of Jharkhand.

After

its commencement, the Sandesh Yatra moved through various districts of India

and entered Awadh, passing through Raebareli, Barabanki, Lavkushnagar, and

several other districts. It then reached Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University

in Lucknow, where ABVP karyakartas welcomed it with great enthusiasm. The Yatra

further proceeded to the University of Lucknow, where ABVP Awadh Secretary Pushpendra

Bajpai, along with numerous karyakartas, received it with traditional drums and

festive spirit. At the University of Lucknow, floral tributes were offered at

the statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda before the Yatra departed for Sitapur.

A

symposium was organised at St. Joseph College on Sitapur Road to welcome the

Yatra. The event was graced by ABVP National President Prof. Raj Sharan Shahi

as Chief Guest; Subhash, Zonal Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak

Sangh, as Distinguished Guest; and St. Joseph College Chairman Dr. Anil

Agarwal, Joginder Singh Gautam, and Bhagwan Birsa Sandesh Yatra State Convenor

& ABVP National Joint Organising Secretary Govind Nayak.

The

‘Bhagwan Birsa Sandesh Yatra’ commenced from Ulihatu and will travel through

Khunti, Chakradharpur, Chaibasa, Seraikela, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Gumla,

Lohardaga, Latehar, Modinagar, Garhwa, Dudhinagar, Robertsganj, Varanasi,

Jaunpur, Kushbhawanpur, Raebareli, Lucknow, Sitapur, Bareilly, Moradabad, and

Saharanpur before reaching ABVP’s 71st National Conference venue at Parade

Ground, Dehradun, on 27 November. Throughout the journey, symposia, street

plays, exhibitions, and public outreach programmes will be organised to spread

awareness about Birsa Munda’s contributions to tribal identity and cultural

pride.

Addressing

the symposium, ABVP National President Prof. Raj Sharan Shahi said that Birsa

Munda, affectionately known as “Dharti Aba,” holds an extraordinary place in

India’s freedom struggle. Born on 15 November 1875 in Ulihatu, he belonged to

the Munda tribe and emerged as a powerful leader advocating for the rights of

the Adivasi community.

Subhash,

Zonal Prachar Pramukh of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, said that Birsa

Munda’s life represents the struggle of the tribal community against oppression

and hardship. Despite growing up in poverty, he pursued education and strongly

resisted missionary attempts to undermine tribal culture. He mobilised his

community and worked to preserve their social, cultural, and religious

identity.

Dr.

Anil Agarwal stated that Birsa Munda led the historic Ulgulan (Great Revolt) of

1899–1900 to safeguard the rights of the tribal community. He challenged the

exploitative land policies of the British and fought relentlessly to restore

land to the Adivasis.

ABVP

Awadh Secretary Pushpendra Bajpai said, “The Bhagwan Birsa Sandesh Yatra, which

commenced from his birthplace Ulihatu, is traversing various states and will

conclude at ABVP’s National Conference in Dehradun. This Yatra is crucial for

awakening Bharat’s sense of ‘self-realisation’. Through various activities, we

aim to convey the teachings and message of Bhagwan Birsa to the masses.”

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi