Bhoomkaal Movement is the symbol of struggle for the freedom of tribal people and their ‘Jal, Jungle, Zameen’: CM

Raipur: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel virtually inaugurated the statue of Amar Shaheed Gundadhur established at Ghadi Chowk of Kanker Municipal Council office, from his residence office here today. In his address to the programme, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel paid tribute to Shaheed Gundadhur and said that he led the Bhoomkaal movement in Bastar. This movement for the freedom of tribal people and their Jal-Jungle-Zameen was started in 1909. Despite the limited resources at his hand, he bravely fought against the injustice of the British Government and never caved in to their oppression. He united the tribal communities to fight for their rights. 

Deputy Speaker of Vidhan Sabha Manoj Mandavi joined the program through video conferencing from Raipur. Parliamentary Secretary Shishupal Sori, Municipality Kanker President Saroj Thakur, Zila Panchayat Kanker President Hemant Dhruv, many public representatives, councilors, many officials of Gondwana community and a large number of dignitaries were present in Kanker on this occasion.

Chief Minister Baghel said that even before the revolt of 1857, it was Raja Amar Shaheed Gaind Singh of Paralkot  who started rebellion against the British. Amar Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh fought against British Rule in the battle of 1857. These people of ours did not pledge their freedom at any cost. The Chief Minister said that but this invaluable contribution of our brave freedom fighters in the freedom struggle of the country did not get the due recognition. Now our tribal communities have begun to acknowledge and recognize the contribution of these heroes.

Chief Minister Baghel further said that the state government has taken many steps in the interest of tribal people, which includes the work of giving forest rights to forest dwellers, returning the land acquired from tribal owners, loan waiver to farmers, procurement of forest produce on support price and value addition, procurement of Kodo, Kutki and Ragi on support price. These works are strengthening the rural economy. Moreover, better measures have been taken to provide education and health facilities in the tribal areas. Swami Atmanand English Medium Schools were started to provide better opportunities of education to the children. There is no dearth of talent in children, all they need is good opportunities. He said that the Haat Bazar Clinic scheme has been started to provide easy access to healthcare services. As a result of this initiative, there has been a significant decrease in the number of cases of vomiting, diarrhea and diarrhea in Bastar. 

The Chief Minister said that the Malaria Mukt Bastar Campaign has also yielded promising results with the significant decline in the number of malaria cases in Bastar.  Chhattisgarh Government started Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan to eradicate malnutrition in the state, and there has been considerable decline in the rate of malnutrition in children and women after this initiative. State government believes that the people of Bastar should be physically and financially strong, they should have easy access to education and healthcare facilities. The Chief Minister said that no shortfall would be allowed in the development of Bastar. He appreciated the efforts of people of Kanker to cherish the memories of Amar Shaheed Gundadhur by establishing his statue. 

Deputy Speaker of  Vidhan Sabha, Manoj Singh Mandavi, in his address to the programme through video conferencing, said that the great hero of Bhoomkaal revolution, Amar Shaheed Gundadhur, fought against the British in the forest region such as Bastar in 1910, i.e. 37 years before independence. He mentioned in detail the steps being taken by the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel for the all-round development of tribals and for the preservation of their culture and traditions.