Maharashtra announced Bhagwan Birsa Munda Road Scheme

The Maharashtra Cabinet on 18th August 2023 announced the implementation of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Road Scheme that aims to enhance road connectivity in tribal areas of the 17 districts of the state. 

Highlights of the Birsa Munda Road Scheme

This project is going to be around 5 thousand crore rupees. A total length of 6838 km of roads will be constructed.

There will be a separate committee of the tribal development department for these roads. The Public Works Department will build these roads.

Under this scheme, a program will be undertaken to connect all the tribal palaces to the perennial main road, to perennialize all the eight-month roads in the tribal sub-plan area and to connect all the primary health centers and ashram shalas in the tribal sub-plan area to the main road. 

Who is Bhagwan Birsa Munda?

Born in 1875 in Munda Tribe of Jharkhand, Birsa Munda known as Dharti Aaba (Father of Earth). He is a freedom fighter and mobilized tribes against the Britisher to recognize their land rights.

He himself introduced the Birsait sect against the missionaries to convert into Christian. The Munda and Oraon community joined this sect.

Birsa Munda led Munda Rebellion

Reason behind Munda Rebellion

Land Policies: Britishers had those land policies and mechanization of land which destroyed the traditional land system of tribes.

Missionaries: Missionaries were against the tribal culture and interfering in their culture.

Salient features of Rebellion 

The 'Ulgulan' or the 'Great Tumult' as the movement was called, aimed at establishing Munda Raj by removing Britisher from theri area.

Birsa Munda used traditional language and used culture to rouse people, urging them to destroy 

Dikus or outsiders and the Europeans and establish a kingdom under his leadership.

Birsa’s tribal followers raised White Flag and their army was based on guerrilla warfare.

In March, 1900, Birsa Munda was arrested by the British police Chakradharpur (Jharkhand).

This munda rebellion forced Britishers to introduce the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908.