New Delhi, May 24 (IANS). Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the ‘Janjati Sanskriti Samagam’ organized at Red Fort grounds in Delhi on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of ‘Dharti Aaba’ Birsa Munda. A large number of people from the tribal community from all over the country participated in this program organized under the aegis of ‘Janjati Suraksha Manch’ and Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram. During the program, many important messages were given regarding tribal culture, tradition and rights.
In his address, Amit Shah said that the entire country is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda with enthusiasm. If anyone in the world has developed the most durable and sustainable life model, it is the tribal society of India. Tribal society lives in balance with nature and this is their biggest strength.
The Union Home Minister said that the tribal society worships nature and this worship of nature is the biggest basis of connection with the Sanatan tradition. He called upon the people to take a pledge to connect religion and culture so that the coming generations remain connected to their roots.
Amit Shah said that the makers of the Constitution have given every person the right to live in his original religion with equal rights. No one can be forcibly converted to religion through greed or pressure.
He said that the forest dwelling community lives with different beliefs, but Indian culture has always given the message of connecting everyone. During this, he gave the example of Lord Ram and Shabari and said that Lord Ram had given the message by eating the false plum of Shabari that we are all one. Whereas when Nishad Raj helped Lord Ram, Lord Ram himself honored the forest dwelling community by washing his feet.
Amit Shah said that this ‘Tribal Cultural Gathering’ will be remembered as the Mahakumbh of the tribal society in the years to come. He said that despite the lack of communication facilities, Lord Birsa Munda had sent the message to the tribes across the country that this country is ours. Our religion is a true religion and our forests cannot be captured by anyone.
The Home Minister also clarified the position regarding Uniform Civil Code (UCC). He said that no restrictions of UCC will be applicable on the forest dwelling community and no rights of the tribal society will be encroached upon.
Referring to the schemes of the Central Government, he said that during the Congress rule, the budget for tribal welfare was only Rs 28 thousand crores, whereas under the leadership of PM Modi, it has been increased to Rs 1 lakh 50 thousand crores.
Amit Shah also discussed PESA law and PESA cell. Through Paisa Cell, information about law is being made available to the tribal community in their own language. Describing Madhya Pradesh’s PESA law as an ideal model, he said that all BJP ruled states are taking it forward.
PESA Cell is a special administrative division functioning under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, created to empower Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas and effectively implement the PESA Act 1996.
In the program, Amit Shah said that these organizations have worked to connect the society and strengthen the country with the message of ‘You and I are one blood’.
He said that this huge gathering organized under the leadership of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and Tribal Security Forum will play a big role in the future in the security of India’s culture, land and religion.
–IANS
VKU/VC