New Delhi, June 30: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday paid tribute to the leaders and participants of the Santhal rebellion of 1855 on the occasion of Hul Diwas, stating that their sacrifice and contribution would continue to inspire citizens across the country.
In a post on X, the President remembered the leaders of the Santhal Hul and acknowledged their role in resisting exploitation and protecting the identity and rights of tribal communities.“On the occasion of Hul Diwas, I pay my respects to the men and women associated with the Sido-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, Phulo-Jhano and Santhal movements for their sacrifices. They fought against the exploitation of tribal society and worked to protect their identity. Their sacrifice and contribution will continue to inspire fellow citizens,” the President said.
Hul Diwas is observed annually on June 30 to commemorate the Santhal uprising of 1855, one of the earliest organised movements against British rule in India. On June 30, 1855, thousands of Santhal villagers gathered at Bhognadih in present-day Jharkhand and launched a rebellion against British authorities, protesting against exploitative landlords, excessive taxation and forced labour.
The movement was led by brothers Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, while Chand and Bhairav played important roles in leading the rebel forces. Phulo and Jhano Murmu also participated in the movement and led women in the resistance against colonial rule.
The uprising was suppressed by British forces in early 1856, resulting in significant loss of life. However, the movement influenced subsequent colonial policies concerning tribal land rights. The enactment of the Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, 1876, prohibited the transfer of tribal land to non-tribal communities and remains a key legal safeguard for land rights in the region.
Meanwhile, BJP National President Nitin Nabin said that President Droupadi Murmu’s rise from a tribal background to the office of the President reflects the representation of tribal communities in the country’s constitutional framework.