Sacred soil from Birsa Munda's samadhi in Kokar, Ranchi, was lifted on Thursday and sent ceremoniously to Edalhatu, 60km away, where the foundation stone of a 150-feet-tall statue of the tribal icon and freedom hero will be laid on Friday to mark his 117th death anniversary.
The morning ceremony in Kokar was attended by one of Birsa's descendants, Sukhram Munda, pahans (tribal priests) and senior leaders of Ajsu Party, including its president Sudesh Mahto who had pledged the statue tribute during Statehood Day last year.
Padma Shri folk artiste Mukund Nayak and his troupe performed on the occasion while an improvised chariot carrying the sacred soil left for its destination near Birsa's native Ulihatu village in Khunti district via Khelgaon, Tatisilwai, Namkum and Sidrol.
Edalhatu in Ranchi is a picturesque plain 30km from the hilly Ulihatu. But like Ulihatu, Edalhatu is largely dominated by the Munda tribe, a reason why it was selected to host Birsa's statue, which is expected to be unveiled in late 2018.
Last year, on November 15, which is also the birth anniversary of Birsa, Mahto while addressing a public rally in Ulihatu had announced the 150ft structure, calling it the Statue of Ulgulan (uprising). A resident of Edalhatu, Ramdurlabh Munda, donated two acres of land for the hallowed project.
Ajsu spokesperson Deosharan Bhagat on Thursday said the Ulgulan Foundation, formed for the project, would raise the costs through donations and other means.
"The foundation stone will be laid tomorrow (Friday) in Edalhatu for which the soil from Birsa's samadhisthal will be used as a symbolic gesture," Bhagat said.
He added: "The colossal statue will be a befitting tribute to the greatest tribal icon and freedom fighter ever born - one who waged a war against the British and came to be regarded as Dharti Aba at the young age of 25. He is the tallest indigenous leader and a messiah of the tribals."
Despite being an ally in the Raghubar Das-led BJP government, Ajsu continues to strongly oppose its amendments to the tenancy laws, stating that the same will alienate tribals.
Bhagat said the Statue of Ulgulan would also underscore the fact that they would keep on fighting for the cause of Jharkhand's indigenous people and "any attempt to amend land laws to threaten their very existence won't be tolerated".
Birsa's kin Sukhram, who is also one of the conveners of the Ulgulan Foundation, said they would visit every village in the region, apprise people about the project and collect a stone from every household for raising the statue. "We are aiming to complete the project by November 15, 2018," he said.
Dharna at Taimara
Members of Ulgulan Foundation sat on dharna at Taimara Valley on NH-33 for over an hour from 6pm after local police allegedly beat up the driver and helper of a publicity van.
Bundu DSP Venkatesh Raman said the van was mounted with blaring loudspeakers and didn't stop when police signalled it. He, however, denied that anyone was beaten up.
