Congress MLA Kedar Dawar writes to MP CM Mohan Yadav, demands public holiday on World Tribal Day

Khargone (Madhya Pradesh) [India], July 22 (ANI): Kedar Dawar, Congress MLA from Madhya Pradesh’s Bhagwanpura in Khargone district, has written to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and demanded a public holiday in the state on August 9 on the occasion of World Tribal Day.

In the letter, Dawar said that World Tribal Day is celebrated by the tribal society with great fervour all over the world. He said, “August 9, 1993 was declared as World Tribal Day by the United Nations, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm by tribal society all over the world. Public holidays have been declared in Madhya Pradesh to celebrate religious festivals of all categories and birth anniversaries/days of great men.”

He further said, “But public holidays have not been declared to celebrate the festivals and birth anniversaries of great men of tribal society. Therefore, please issue orders declaring August 9, the biggest festival of tribal society, as a public holiday.”

World Tribal Day is observed on August 9 each year, to raise awareness of the challenges faced by indigenous people across the world, such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to education and healthcare.

Notably, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel last year had announced that Chhattisgarh became the first state in the country to declare a holiday on World Tribal Day.

The former CM had said, “The state government is extensively working in the interests of the tribal population. A hall taking shape in Nava Raipur, will keep the tribal culture, traditions and customs of tribal in display.”

Baghel had also assured that the primary education will take place in tribal languages as well.

“We have set up an organisation in Bastar to preserve the rich culture and tradition of tribal communities”, he had said.

“Since 2011, the Census has not taken place. The government is working to preserve the culture and traditions and has released the benefits of separate schemes (in terms of money) by just pressing a button,” the former CM had added.