Page 70 - Mann Ki Baat - English

India’s freedom struggle is often narrated
through the stories of great leaders and
movements, but the valiant contributions
of tribal icons like Komaram Bheem and
Bhagwan Birsa Munda remain equally
significant. Their lives were a testament
to courage, resilience, and an unwavering
commitment to justice and dignity for their
people. As we celebrate Janajatiya Gaurav
Diwas, it is imperative to reflect on their
legacy and the values they stood for.
Komaram Bheem: A Symbol of
Resistance and Rights
Komaram Bheem’s fight against the
oppressive Nizam rule in Hyderabad was
not merely a local rebellion; it represented
Jual Oram a larger struggle for justice and self-respect
Union Minister among tribal communities. At a time when
of Tribal Affairs exploitation was rampant, and even speaking
against authority was a crime, Bheem rose
fearlessly to defend his people. His resistance
HONORING was rooted in the belief that every individual
has the right to live with dignity, free from
THE tyranny and injustice.
The slogan “Jal, Jangal, Zameen”—
LEGACY OF Water, Forest, Land—coined by Komaram

Bheem, continues to resonate as a powerful
KOMARAM assertion of tribal identity and rights. These
three elements are not just resources; they are
BHEEM the lifeline of tribal communities, integral to
their culture, livelihood, and survival. Bheem’s
AND call was a demand for autonomy over these
resources, a principle that remains central
BHAGWAN to contemporary debates on environmental
justice and indigenous rights.
BIRSA democratic. Bheem style was deeply
His
leadership
village
organised
MUNDA councils and mobilised people collectively,
emphasising that governance should be
rooted in local traditions and participatory
decision-making. This vision of self-rule was

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