Assam CM Honors Sidhu-Kanhu and Santhal Hul Martyrs on Hul Diwas

Guwahati, June 30 (IANS) – Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma paid tribute to legendary Santhal freedom fighters Sidhu Murmu and Kanhu Murmu on Tuesday to mark Hul Diwas. Sarma called their valiant struggle against injustice and exploitation an enduring source of inspiration and a defining chapter in India’s freedom movement.

In a social media post, the Chief Minister noted that the Santhal Hul occupies an immortal place in the country’s history of resistance against oppression. He added that the rebellion’s message of courage, sacrifice, and determination continues to inspire generations.

“On Hul Day, I offer countless salutations to Sidho-Kanhu and all the heroic warriors of the Santhal Hul,” CM Sarma said. “Their valiant struggle to protect water, forests, and land against injustice gave a new direction to the freedom movement. Their sacrifice and martyrdom will forever inspire us.”

The History Behind Hul Diwas

Every year on June 30, Hul Diwas commemorates the historic 1855 Santhal rebellion. Brothers Sidho and Kanhu Murmu led the uprising to fight the exploitative policies of the British colonial administration and the oppressive zamindari system.

Historians regard the uprising, popularly known as the Santhal Hul, as one of the earliest organized tribal revolts against British rule in India.

• Mass Mobilization: Thousands of Santhals from present-day Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, and adjoining regions joined the movement.
• The Demands: Rebels demanded the protection of their land, forests, and traditional rights while actively resisting economic exploitation, forced revenue collection, and colonial oppression.
• A Lasting Legacy: Although the British eventually defeated the rebellion, the uprising remains a landmark episode in India’s long struggle for independence.

A Legacy of Justice and Dignity

Historians emphasize that the movement inspired several later anti-colonial struggles and spotlighted the crucial role tribal communities played in resisting foreign rule.

Beyond a political uprising, the Santhal Hul operated as a social movement rooted in the demand for justice and dignity. It successfully forced attention onto critical issues like land alienation, exploitation by moneylenders, and the denial of traditional rights.

CM Sarma concluded that the courage, determination, and supreme sacrifice of Sidho, Kanhu, and countless Santhal warriors continue to inspire people across the country to uphold the ideals of justice, equality, patriotism, and national pride.