Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Aug 9: �The Adivasis have always been to the fore whenever the country and state required them. They have sacrificed their lives for the cause of their land. Whenever threat loomed large over their rights to Jal, Jungle, Zameen, they protected them with their lives and history is witness to these glories of my Adivasi brothers and sisters.�
Former Jharkhand minister and Congress leader was addressing a huge meeting on the occasion of World Adivasi Day celebrations organized at Ulidih Maidan. �Be it Bhagwan Birsa Munda, or Shahid duo Sidho-Kanhu or Nirmal Mahto, there are many such people who come to mind who became martyrs to protect the dignity of their land. It is our duty to protect this heritage given to us by them and nurture it. It is my pledge to you that whenever any problem befalls you, I wil stand along with you as a brother and a son and fight for that cause.�
Banna Gupta garlanded a statue of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and then distributed dhotis and saris among elderly men and women.
Earlier, Banna Gupta was welcomed in traditional Adivasi mode. He played the traditional percussion instruments and matched stepped with dancers during the International Adivasi Day celebrations.
