Dediapada, Gujarat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a large public gathering in Dediapada, Gujarat, on Saturday, strongly criticized previous Congress governments for neglecting tribal communities for six decades. Speaking on the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Bhagwan Birsa Munda, also celebrated as Tribal Pride Day, Modi asserted that tribal welfare is a top priority for the BJP.
Modi stated that the sacrifices and contributions of tribal communities in India's freedom struggle were often ignored, with credit given primarily to a few families. He added that figures like Birsa Munda were largely forgotten before 2014. Modi said that his government has worked to change this, ensuring that future generations recognize the vital role tribal communities played in securing India's independence.
The Prime Minister accused the Congress party, which he said ruled India for six decades, of abandoning tribal communities, resulting in malnutrition, poor health services, lack of education, and minimal connectivity. He contrasted this with the BJP's commitment to tribal welfare. He highlighted the development of various historical and spiritual centers over the past ten years, including the Kashi Vishwanath corridor, Ujjain's Mahakal, Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, and Kedarnath Dham.
Prior to his address, Modi offered prayers at the Yaha Mogi Devmogra Dham in Devmogra village, about 30 km from Dediapada. He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple infrastructure and development projects worth over Rs 9,700 crore in the Narmada district, focusing on tribal welfare, infrastructure, health, education, and heritage. These projects include 42 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, 228 Multi-Purpose Centers, and a Tribal Research Institute building in Imphal, Manipur. He also participated in the 'grih pravesh' of 100,000 houses built under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JAGUA). Additionally, he flagged off 250 buses for 14 tribal districts and laid the foundation stone for 748 kilometers of new roads to improve connectivity in tribal areas.
The Prime Minister's visit and address are expected to outline a renewed vision for tribal welfare and inclusive growth, reinforcing the message that development reaches the last mile only when it uplifts the most marginalized. Local residents have expressed optimism that Modi's visit will accelerate further progress, acknowledging the positive changes brought about by successive development drives under his leadership. Many tribal families have been granted legal rights to forest land under the Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana, a welfare scheme launched in 2003.
