Santal Contributions to Freedom Struggle Overlooked, Education Urged by President Murmu

President of India Droupadi Murmu has highlighted the overlooked contributions of the Santal community to India’s freedom struggle, calling for greater recognition of their role in shaping the nation’s history. Speaking on Saturday during the inauguration of the ninth International Santal Conference in Bidhannagar, Siliguri, in Darjeeling district, Murmu said many Santal legends were “not deliberately included in history.”

“I know how much the Santals have contributed to the country’s freedom struggle. But the names of Santal legends have not deliberately been included in history,” the President said, emphasizing the need to acknowledge the community’s sacrifices and achievements.

Murmu also underscored the importance of education for the younger generation of Santals. “I want all children of the Santal community to get a good education, and this would help them become independent and stronger,” she said, urging families and community leaders to ensure proper schooling for children.

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In addition to formal education, the President encouraged members of the community to learn languages beyond their native Santhali, written in the Ol Chiki script, to expand opportunities and access wider platforms. The Ol Chiki script, invented in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu, has become a powerful symbol of Santal identity and unity across India and abroad.

Addressing broader societal responsibilities, Murmu questioned whether recipients of prestigious honours such as the Sahitya Akademi Award and Padma Shri were doing enough to uphold the prestige of these recognitions. She called on awardees to continue contributing to social and cultural advancement while maintaining the dignity associated with such accolades.

The International Santal Conference, now in its ninth edition, serves as a platform for cultural exchange, education, and recognition of the Santal community’s heritage. Murmu’s remarks at the event highlight ongoing efforts to bring greater visibility to marginalized communities whose contributions to India’s history and culture have often been overlooked.

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