It is a little surprising to see that a major part of India is still not aware of the Santhal tribe that has been subtly shaping India’s identity over the years. However, with Droupadi Murmu winning the 2022 President Election polls, this lesser-known Indian tribe is slowly receiving the love and respect it deserves. From Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, who led the rebellion against the British in the 19th century, to Babulal Marandi, the first CM of Jharkhand, to Droupadi Murmu winning the 2022 presidential polls, the Santhals have always been a part of India’s glory. Read on to know more about the history and origins of this peace-loving tribe in India.
The Origins Of The Community Of Droupadi Murmu, The First Tribal Woman President Of India
With Droupadi Murmu becoming the first Tribal Woman President of India, it is important we acknowledge the origins of the community she belongs to! Murmu belongs to the Santal tribe, which is deemed as one of the most peace-loving tribes in India. Their ethnonym, Hor Hopon, literally means sons of mankind. Santal is derived from a Bengali exonym and refers to inhabitants of Saont, currently known as Silda. Silda, the Midnapore region of West Bengal, is regarded as the traditional homeland of the Santals. Santhals are the third largest scheduled tribe in India after Gonds and Bhils. Currently, you will find most of the Santhali population in Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. And being one of the 61 tribes of Odisha, the Santhals form almost 9 percent of the population in the state. President Droupadi Murmu belongs to the Mayurbhanj district, which is one of the districts having a dense concentration of Santhals.
Murmu’s Village Uparbeda in Odisha Broke Out In Celebration After The Presidential Poll Results
On Thursday Droupadi Murmu created history after becoming India’s first tribal woman to be elected the 15th President of the Country. Murmu secured 64.03 percent of the total votes which led to her win over the opposition’s candidate, Yashwant Sinha. Murmu will be administered the Presidential oath of office by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on July 25, 2022, at a ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament. Murmu is the pride of the Santhal tribe and after her win, there was no end to the celebrations at her village Uparbeda in Odisha. Reports also reveal that tribal chiefs from all over the country are planning to felicitate the new President during her oath-taking ceremony on 25 July, in Delhi. Murmu’s victory ensures greater developments for the Adivasis in India. No wonder the tribal communities are rejoicing in her win!
I would like to thank all those MPs and MLAs across party lines who have supported the candidature of Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Her record victory augurs well for our democracy.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 21, 2022
Also read: Bengal Converts A School Into Community Kitchen To Provide Food To Tribals Amid Lockdown