On Friday, Union Minister of Urban Development, Manohar Lal Khattar, announced that the Sarai Kale Khan Chowk in Delhi will now be known as Birsa Munda Chowk. The decision comes as part of the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, a prominent tribal freedom fighter and leader.
“I am announcing today that the big chowk outside the ISBT bus stand will be known after Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Seeing this statue and the name of that chowk, not only the citizens of Delhi but also the people visiting the International Bus stand will definitely be inspired by his life,” said Khattar during the announcement.
Khattar said that the renaming of the chowk is meant to honour Birsa Munda’s contributions to India’s freedom struggle and to inspire people, especially those passing through the area, to learn about his life and legacy.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Khattar and Delhi LG VK Saxena, unveiled a statue of Birsa Munda in the national capital. This statue was also part of the celebrations marking Munda’s 150th birth anniversary.
Birsa Munda, a hero of the tribal freedom struggle, played a significant role in leading the Ulgulan (rebellion) against British rule in the Chotanagpur region. He fought for the rights of tribal communities, especially against the British government’s land-grabbing policies that were pushing them into poverty. Munda was also the founder of the Birsait faith, which emphasized the worship of one god and promoted tribal unity.
Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who passed away at the young age of 25 in 1900, is often remembered as “Dharti Aba” or the “father of the earth” for his leadership and the fight for tribal rights. His birth anniversary, November 15, was declared ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Divas’ by the Central Government in 2021.
