Dharti Abba Birsa Munda Was Not a Vanvasi!
More than 200 renowned Adivasi-mulvasi leaders, representatives of people’s organisations, traditional self-governance representatives, academics, and activists have issued a joint statement appealing to Adivasis and all Jharkhandis to observe coming Tuesday, June 9, the martyrdom day of Dharti Abba Birsa Munda, across every corner of the state by commemorating his Adivasi culture, struggles, and the Ulgulan. Most critically, they have urged them to declare a solemn pledge to protect his legacy from manuvadi organizations such as the RSS, the Janajati Suraksha Manch, and the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram.
The signatories to the appeal include prominent socio-political leaders such as former minister Geetashree Oraon, former MLAs Bahadur Oraon and Mangal Singh Bobonga, Jyotsna Kerketta, Devkinandan Bedia, Kumar Chandra Mardi, Demka Soy, Ramesh Jarai, Rajni Murmu, Sukhnath Lohra, Durgawati Oraon, Aloka Kujur, Binsay Munda, Hari Kumar Bhagat, Kalicharan Birua, Dinesh Murmu, Sadhu Ho, Jaikishan Godsora, and Vasvi Kido; as well as renowned intellectuals like Jacinta Kerketta, Joseph Bara, Anuj Lugun, and Nitish Khalkho.
Other representatives from numerous organisations have also signed the appeal, including the Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Samiti, Gaon Ganrajya Parishad, Sarna Sagom Samiti (Khunti), Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha, Adivasi Moolvasi Adhikar Manch (Bokaro), Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal (Ramgarh), Paramparik Gram Sabha Samanvay Samiti (Khunti), Adivasi Adhikar Manch, Manki Munda Swashasan Vyavastha (West Singhbhum), Adivasi Ho Samaj Sewanivrit Sangathan (Chaibasa), Adivasi Andolankari Morcha, Adivasi Samanvay Samiti, Birsa Sena, Adivasi Ekta Manch, Munda Adivasi Samaj Mahasabha, Sanyukt Gram Sabha, Yuva Jhumur, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, JOHAR, OMON Mahila Sangathan, and Jharkhand Jantantrik Mahasabha.
The appeal has also been supported by several national activists and intellectuals working on Adivasi rights issues, such as Nandini Sundar, Bela Bhatia, Prafulla Samantara, and Ishwar Ahire. The entire list is attached to the appeal.
The appeal draws specifically attention to the ‘Janajati Sanskritik Samagam’ organised in Delhi on May 24, 2026, by the Janajati Suraksha Manch—an organization affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). During this event, speakers—particularly Amit Shah—repeatedly addressed the Adivasis as ‘Vanvasis’. Throughout the gathering, not once was Birsa Munda’s struggle for jal, jangal, jameen emphasised and remembered nor was his fight against the exploitation by dikus, commemorated.
The signatories believe that the RSS and its affiliated organisations deliberately avoid using the term ‘Adivasi’ because they view tribal communities co-optively as ‘Vanvasis’—occupying the lowest rung of the Hindu caste hierarchy. On one hand, these organisations are actively seeking to erase the independent identity of Adivasis by propagating the slogan “Sarna-Sanatan Ek”. On the other hand, they are attempting to fracture the collective solidarity of Adivasis by demanding the delisting of Christian Adivasis from the official list of Scheduled Tribes. The RSS, according to the signatories, is appropriating Birsa Munda’s name and legacy to serve its own agenda: to reduce Adivasis to mere ‘Vanvasis,’ to dismantle their collective unity, to plunder their natural resources, and to obliterate the heritage of the dharti aba.
The appeal asserts that Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan—waged for the sake of jal, jangal, jameen and against the British colonialists as well as all forms of exploitative dikus—laid the very foundation of the state of Jharkhand. However, the Sangh is actively engaged in an attempt to rewrite this history. The BJP-led Raghubar Das government, in particular, even attempted to dismantle the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act—a landmark legislation born out of the Ulgulan movement. In the very Munda Disum where Birsa Munda had first raised the clarion call of Ulgulan, the Raghubar government went so far as to label thousands of Adivasis as ‘anti-nationals’. The Modi government, too, state the group, is systematically working to erode the autonomy of Adivasis and to strip them of their constitutional and legal rights. Furthermore, these Manuvadi organizations have consistently opposed the demands of Adivasis for formal recognition of their distinct religious systems and for the inclusion of a separate religious code for them in the national census.
Therefore, prominent figures have appealed to all Adivasis and Jharkhandis, as well as all proponents of Adivasi identity, to safeguard Birsa’s legacy from the RSS and to convey the truth to the people on this death anniversary.
Names of all Signatories may be read here:
- Geetashree Oraon, Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad, Ranchi
- Bahadur Oraon, Ex-MLA, West Singhbhum
- Mangal Singh Bobonga, Ex-MLA, West Singhbhum
- Jacinta Kerketta, Poet and writer, Ranchi
- Anuj Lugun, Poet, East Singhbhum
- Jyotsana Kerketta, Adivasi Mulvasi Manch, Khunti
- Kumar Chandra Mardi, Gaon Ganrajya Parishad, East Singhbhum
- Neetisha Xalxo, Assitant Professor, Dhanbad
- Basavi Kiro, Indigenous Women India Network, Ranchi
- Devkinandan Bedia, Adivasi Sangharsh Morcha, Ramgarh
- Joseph Bara, Historian, Ranchi
- Prabal Mahto, Film Maker, West Singhbhum
- Ramesh Jerai, Jharkhandis Organization for Human Rights (JOHAR), West Singhbhum
- Rajni Murmu, Adivasi feminist organization, Deoghar
- Aloka Kujur, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Ranchi
- Sukhnath Lohra, Adivasi Adhikar Manch, Jharkhand, Ranchi
- Durgawati Oraon, Sarna Sangom Samiti Khunti, Khunti
- Binsay Munda, Paramparik Gram Sabha Samanway Samiti Jharkhand, Khunti
- Chandramohan Birua, Adivasi Ho Samaj Sevanivrit Sangathan, Chaibasa, West Singhbhum
- Demka Soy, Jharkhand Andolankari Morcha, East Singhbhum
- Dinesh Murmu, Adivasi Mulvasi Adhikar Manch, Bokaro, Bokaro
- Hari Kumar Bhagat, Concerned citizen, Latehar
- Jaykishan Godsora, Research scholar, West Singhbhum
- Kalicharan Birua, Manki Munda Swashasan Vyavastha, West Singhbhum
- Krishna Lohar, Jharkhand Jantantrik Mahasabha, East Singhbhum
- Ajay Bankira, Adivasi Andolankari Morcha, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Anant Kumar Hembrom, Activist, West Singhbhum
- Anupam Hassa, Sanyukt Gram Sabha Khunti, Khunti
- Asman Hembram, Adivasi Andolankari Morcha Kharsawan, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Bablu Munda, Sayukt Gram Sabha Khunti, Khunti
- Bahadur Hans, Sarna Sagom Samiti Khunti, Khunti
- Basingh Hassa, Sanyukt Gram Sabha Khunti, Khunti
- Chandra Prabhat Munda, Adiwasi Samanway Samiti Khunti, Khunti
- Chunulal Soren, Ekta Parishad,Jharkhand, Hazaribagh
- Deepak Ranjeet, Jharkhand Jantantrik Mahasabha, East Singhbhum
- Jaisingh Bodra, Yuva Jhumur, West Singhbhum
- Jamadar Kairam, Birsa Sena Noamundi, West Singhbhum
- Kamal Purti, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, West Singhbhum
- Laldeo Soren, Bharat Jakat Manjhli Pargana Mahal, Ramgarh
- Mangal Singh Kuntia, Adivasi Ho Samaj Sevanivrit Sangathan, Chaibasa, West Singhbhum
- Manik Chand Korwa, Samudayik Van Prabandhan Federation Garhwa, Garhwa
- Mukta Hans, Sarna Sagam Samiti Khunti, Khunti
- Narayan Kandeyang, Jharkhandis Organization for Human Rights (JOHAR), West Singhbhum
- Pramod Khalkho, Adivasi Ekta Manch and Jan Sangharsh Samiti Chainpur, Gumla
- Renu Oraon, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Latehar
- Sadhu Ho, Deshauli Foundation, West Singhbhum
- Sanjay Horo, Sarna Sangom Samiti Khunti, Khunti
- Shyamal Mardi, Visthapit Mukti Vahini, Saraikela Kharsawan
- Siddharth Honhaga, Bhagwan Birsa Munda Red Cross Volunteers., West Singhbhum
- Somnath Pareya, Birsa Seva Dal, East Singhbhum
- Sukhram Hansda, Adivasi Mulvasi Adhikar Manch, Bokaro, Bokaro
- Sukhram Pahan, Sanyukt Gram Sabha Khunti, Khunti
- Sunil Hembram, Jharkhand Jantantrik Mahasabha, East Singhbhum
- Sunil Soren, Birsa Sena, East Singhbhum
- Sunita Boipai, OMON Mahila Sangathan Noamundi, West Singhbhum
- Sunita Lakra, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Ranchi
- Tarkan Munda, Munda Adivasi Samaj Mahasabha Khunti, Khunti
- Tej Munda, Adibashi Bhumij Munda Samiti Kukru Balak, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Vibhishan Jerai, Birsa Changul Malhar Club, Devgaon, West Singhbhum
- Ajay Ekka, Adivasi Kshetra Yuva Manch, Simdega
- Ajit Kumar Tirkey, Jharkhand organization for social harmony, East Singhbhum
- Aman Kumar Marandi, Concerned citizen, Dhanbad
- Anjana Besra, Activist, Khunti
- Ashim Ashish Tigga, Tribal Journalist Association, Ranchi
- Bineet Mundu, Concerned citizen, Ranchi
- Elina Horo, Adivasi Women’s Network, Ranchi
- Gadadhar Tiyu, Kendriya Ho Samaj Rourkela, Sundergarh, Odisha
- Gautam Minj, OMON Mahila Sangathan Noamundi, West Singhbhum
- Jagmohan Singh Angaria, Activist, West Singhbhum
- James Herenj, Activist, Latehar
- Jennifer Baxla, Activist, Ranchi
- Jugal Munda, Jaura Sika Akhara, Khunti
- Kailu Baskey, Concerned citizen, Sahebganj
- Krishna Tudu, Activist, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Lakhan Mardi, Jhalak (majhi Baba), Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Madan Mohan, Jharkhand Navnirman Abhiyan, East Singhbhum
- Manita Deogam, Activist, West Singhbhum
- Mathiyas Suren, Adivasi Association Noamundi, West Singhbhum
- Mission Soy, Adivasi Ho Samaj Mahasabha, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Nelshan Munda, Adivasi researcher, Khunti
- Parmeshwar Manjhi, Concerned citizen, Bokaro
- Rahul Oraon, HEC Hatia Vishthapit Parivar Samiti, Ranchi
- Sadhu Charan Samad, Activist, West Singhbhum
- Saroj Soreng, Concerned citizen, Simdega
- Suresh Kayam, Yuva Jhumur, West Singhbhum
- Abdus Subhan, Activist, Sahibganj
- Abhinash Purty, Concerned citizen, West Singhbum
- Abhishek Kujur, Student, Ranchi
- Ajay Minj, Activist, Gumla
- Albinus Lakra, Activist, Simdega
- Ambika Yadav, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Anamika Hansda, Activist, Godda
- Ankit Kandulna, Concerned citizen, Ranchi
- Arpana Kandulna, Concerned citizen, Ranchi
- Ashok Verma, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Ranchi
- B B Choudhary, Samajwadi Jan Parishad, Jharkhand, Ranchi
- Badal Kumar Singh, Jharkhand Navnirman Dal,Gumla, Gumla
- Balma Purty, Activist, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Balram Karmakar, Birsa Sena, East Singhbhum
- Bharat Birua, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Bharti Barjo, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Binod, Adivasi Mahasabha, Simdega
- Biplab Gorai, BGVS, East Singhbhum
- Blacius Ekka, Activist, Simdega
- Deepak Dholakia, Loktantrik Rashtra Nirman Abhiyan, Delhi
- Deepak Laguri, Student, West Singhbhum
- Deepti Mary Minj, Concerned citizen, Simdega
- Divya Vani Tirkey, Adivasi Yuva Chetna Manch (AICUF/AYCM), Ranchi
- Dorothy Fernandes, Aashray Abhiyan, Patna
- Emil Kandulna, Activist, Ranchi
- Eric Murmu, Teacher, Deoghar
- Faisal Anurag, Concerned citizen, Ranchi
- Gangaram Jerai, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Gabriel Bodra, Activist, West Singhbhum
- Gautam Kumar Bose, Jharkhand Qaumi Ekta Manch, East Singhbhum
- Geeta Godsora, Concerned citizen, East Singhbhum
- George Monippally, Van Adhikar Manch, Latehar, Latehar
- Jagat, Janmukti Sangharsh Vahini Jamshedpur, East Singhbhum
- Jano Purty, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Jawahar Mehta, Activist, Palamu
- Jayman Kandeyang, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Jitendra Baraik, Activist, Ranchi
- Jitendra Oraon, Concerned citizen, Latehar
- Jitendra Sundi, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Jivan Hembram, Majhi Baba, East Singhbhum
- Joseph Kisku, Activist, Dumka
- Jyoti Purti, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Jyoti Behan, Mahila Mukti Sangharsh Samiti, Chatra, Chatra
- Kamal Pahan, Concerned citizen, Khunti
- Kamil Purti, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Kamlesh Korwa, Concerned citizen, Garhwa
- Khetro Mohan Birua, Activist, West Singhbhum
- Kiran, Sambhava injor, Ranchi
- Kiran Veer, Visthapit Mukti Vahini, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Kita Sinku, Activist, West Singhbhum
- Kumari Leena, Human Rights Activist, Ranchi
- Madhu Kandeyang, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Manimala, Journalisr, Delhi
- Manthan, Janmukti Sangharsh Vahini, East Singhbhum
- Mathias Sinku, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Michael Jojo, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Mikhael Hassa, Activist, Khunti
- Mugli Kandeyang, West Singhbhum
- Mukesh Hembram, Activist, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Narendra Kumar, True Gandhian Group, Bokaro
- Nawin Lugun, Concerned citizen, Ranchi
- Nikita Hemrom, Bagaicha, Ranchi
- Nimesh, Concerned citizen, Ranchi
- Om Prakash, Azadi Bachao Andolan, East Singhbhum
- Pius Topno, Student, Khunti
- Ponderam Kayam, Yuva Jhumur, West Singhbhum
- Poonam Deogam, Sprouts Child Grooming Center, West Singhbhum
- Praphul Kujur, Activist, Ranchi
- Praveer Peter, Sajha Kadam & Sadbhav Manch (NAPM), India
- Prince Gill, JCM, East Singhbhum
- Prof Yogendra, Loktantrik Rashtra Nirman Abhiyan, Ranchi
- Raj Kandeyang, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Rajendra Champia, Activist, West Singhbhum
- Rajesh Ramakrishnan, Campaign to Defend Nature and People, Chennai
- Rajshree, Concerned citizen, East Singhbhum
- Ram Sundi, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Rashmi Sinku, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Ravi Kandeyang, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Rita Kandey, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Rose Madhu Tirkey, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Ranchi
- Rose Xaxa, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Gumla
- Sanjana Mehta, Student activist, Garhwa
- Sarita Kandeyang, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Satish Munda, Activist, Seraikela-Kharsawan
- Saurabh Sinha, Activist, Deoghar
- Savita Kachhap, Social activist and Research Scolar, Ranchi
- Shailendra Sinku, Student, West Singhbhum
- Shakha Kandeyang, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Shashi Shekhar Singh, Citizens for Democracy’s, Delhi
- Shivam Barjo, Student, West Singhbhum
- Siraj Dutta, Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, Ranchi
- Solomon, Concerned citizen, Dumka
- Soumya, Concerned citizen, Ranchi
- Subhash Barjo, Student, West Singhbhum
- Sunil Champia, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Sunil Kumar Bansingh, Activist, East Singhbhum
- Sushila Minj, Concerned citizen, central
- Thakur Baske, Concerned citizen, East Singhbhum
- Vicky Beck, Activist, Ranchi
- Vijay Kandeyang, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Vijay Kumar Barwa, Concerned citizen, Latehar
- Vikas Das, Concerned citizen, Khunti
- Vikash Kumar, Activist, East Singhbhum
- Vikram Minj, Activist, Latehar
- Vishwanath Azad, Ekal Nari Sashakti Sangathan, Hazaribagh
- Vivek Vishal, Concerned citizen, West Singhbhum
- Ananta, Lokmukti Sangathan, Jharsuguda, Odisha
- Ashok Vishwarai, Janmukti Sangharsh Vahini (JASWA) / Loktantrik Rashtra Nirman Abhiyan, Unnao (Uttar Pradesh)
- Ashok, MKSS, Pali, Rajasthan
- Avinash Kadam, Shramik Mukti Dal, Thane, Maharashtra
- Bela Bhatia, Human rights lawyer, Dantewada, Chhattisgarh
- Bimal Ekka, Concerned citizen, South Andaman
- Sricharan Behera, Campaign for Survival and Fignity, Odisha, Khurdha
- Shambhu Nath, Jan Sangharsh Vahini, Begusarai, Bihar
- Ishwar Ahire, Manjur Sangharsh Vahini, Dhule, Maharashtra
- Jag Narayan Mahto, Concerned citizen, Delhi
- Joshy Jacob, Samajwadi Janaparishad, Kottayam, Kerala
- Nandini Sundar, Sociologist, Delhi
- Narbhinder Singh, Association for Democratic Rights Punjab, Tarn Taran, Punjab
- Nelson Xess, Concerned citizen, N&M Andaman
- Nootan, CDNP, Wardha, Maharashtra
- Prafulla Samanthara, Lok Shakti Abhiyan, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Ranjana Kanhere, Activist, Nandurbar
- Richa Singh, SKMS, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh
- Sanjay Kumar Lakra, Concerned citizen, South Andaman
- Shalini Gera, Lawyer, High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
- Somar Singh Bhokta, Mazdoor Kisan Samiti and Jaswa, Gaya Ji, Bihar
- Sujata Gothoskar, Nari Atyachar Virodhi Manch, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Umakanta Naik, Lokmukti Sangathan, Jharsuguda, Odisha
- Vinod Vikram, Janmukti Sangharsh Vahini, Allahabad (UP)
- Virendra Kumar, Loktantrik Rashtra Nirman Abhiyan, Mumbai
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