Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders at the 'Janjati Sanskritik Samagam' (Tribal Cultural Conclave) in New Delhi on Sunday, 25 May 2025 declared the grand gathering a celebration of tribal unity and cultural diversity, saying it embodied the spirit of a united India. The event, held partly at the Red Fort, was convened to mark the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah attending as chief guest.

Scale and Participation

Tribal communities from across the country converged on the national capital, with representatives arriving from Arunachal Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and northeastern states including Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. Participants from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were also in attendance. According to Janjati Suraksha Manch member Manohar Santhal, between 2,500 and 3,000 members of the Santhal community alone were present. Attendees wore traditional tribal attire, which Santhal noted represents a core identity marker alongside food habits and lifestyle.

What BJP Leaders Said

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj was explicit that the conclave carries no electoral intent. 'It is an event to pay tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda, which has brought our tribal brothers and sisters to the national capital. It represents the culture and idea of a united India,' she said. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari described the Red Fort venue as symbolically significant, saying it would 'represent a complete democracy today,' adding that tribal communities are 'part of the country's mainstream' and that Delhi 'belongs to them too.'

Voices from Tribal Leadership

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, described as one of the country's senior tribal leaders, struck a defensive tone on cultural preservation. 'For the past several years, some anti-religious elements have been trying to break our traditions, suppress our customs, and weaken our culture,' he said. 'Therefore, today, tribal communities from across the country have united here to demonstrate their strength and solidarity.' Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda said the gathering sends a message 'not only to the tribal society of India but also to the entire nation,' underscoring the community's distinct identity rooted in ancient civilisation and tradition.

Community Development on the Agenda

Beyond cultural affirmation, Manohar Santhal stressed that the event must translate into tangible outcomes. 'We have to work towards ensuring development for the community and address their issues,' he said. The conclave thus carried a dual mandate — cultural solidarity and a forward-looking conversation on tribal welfare, even as BJP leaders positioned it firmly outside the realm of electoral promises.

Significance and Context

The 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the 19th-century tribal freedom fighter and folk deity revered across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, has been observed with heightened political attention in recent years. This is the second consecutive year that the Centre has organised a large-scale national event in his memory. Notably, 15 November — Birsa Munda's birth date — was designated Janjatiya Gaurav Divas (Tribal Pride Day) by the Union government in 2021, reflecting a broader political outreach to tribal constituencies that account for over 8% of India's population.