NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, hailed how tribal communities made significant contributions to India’s independence movement, then took a jab at Congress saying the opposition party failed to acknowledge their role and neglected their welfare during their six-decade rule post-independence.”For six decades, the Congress governments left tribal communities to fend for themselves. Malnutrition persisted, education was scarce, and these shortcomings became the unfortunate identity of many tribal regions. Congress governments remained indifferent,” claimed PM, speaking at a gathering in Gujarat’s Narmada district’s Dediapada.Commemorating tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 150th birth anniversary, the Prime Minister also discussed his administration’s efforts to improve healthcare facilities and develop sports infrastructure in tribal regions. “We began celebrating Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. Janjatiya Gaurav has always been an integral part of India’s consciousness. Whenever the nation’s self-respect is in question, our tribal communities have always stood at the forefront. Our freedom struggle reflects this with great clarity,” he said.Then claiming BJP’s interest welfare of the tribals, the Prime minister said, “For BJP, tribal welfare has always been a priority. We have moved forward with a firm resolve to end the injustice faced by our tribal brothers and sisters.”Further asserting importance of recognising tribal community, PM added, “We can never overlook the contribution of our tribal communities to India’s freedom struggle. This recognition should have come long ago, but the desire to credit only a few families led to the neglect of the sacrifice, discipline, and devotion of our tribal brothers and sisters. That is why, before 2014, hardly anyone in the country honoured Bhagwan Birsa Munda. We changed that because the coming generations must know that our tribal communities played a vital role in securing India’s freedom.”The Prime Minister also spoke about about his government’s initiatives to enhance sports facilities in tribal areas and mentioned that the recent women’s cricket World Cup winning team included a tribal player. “Today, athletes from our tribal communities are shining in every major competition. Recently, India’s women’s cricket team created history by winning the World Cup, and the daughter of our tribal society played a remarkable role in that victory,” he said.The PM also initiated several infrastructure and development projects worth over Rs 9,700 crore prior to his speech.
