Jaipal Singh Munda was born in 1903 in a tribal Munda family in Bihar. He studied at St. Paul’s School in Ranchi and later went to Oxford for further studies. Jaipal was one of the first Indian tribesmen to study abroad. At St. John’s College, he became active in sports, representing both the football and hockey teams. He also held leadership roles in the Debating Society. While in Europe, he gathered Indian hockey players and organised the first Indian hockey team to tour Belgium.
Captaincy and Political Awakening
In 1928, Jaipal was selected for the Indian Civil Services (ICS), but his training coincided with the Amsterdam Olympics. He chose to captain the Indian hockey team, which won the Gold Medal. However, he did not play in the finals. After the Olympics, he joined the princely state of Bikaner as a revenue minister. He married Tara Majumdar, the granddaughter of W.C. Bonnerjee. Despite his success, Jaipal could not ignore the social and political issues facing Adivasis. In 1938, he returned to the Chotanagpur Plateau in Bihar and became the President of the Adibasi Sabha.
Advocacy for Adivasi Rights
In his first address as president in 1939, Jaipal demanded a separate province for Adivasis, similar to the demands of Bengali and Oriya communities. He highlighted the exploitation of Adivasis by the Bihar government. Jaipal’s efforts led to significant success in municipal elections, surprising the Bihari ministry. He argued against the “Biharisation” of Chotanagpur and forged alliances with various political groups to protect Adivasi rights. During World War II, he cooperated with the British for concessions and attempted to ally with the Muslim League, focusing on Adivasi issues.
Later, as a member of the Constituent Assembly, he advocated for Adivasi rights, often disagreeing with leaders like Ambedkar. He argued that Adivasis were the true inhabitants of India and opposed the term “Scheduled Tribes,” fearing it would exclude many tribes. Jaipal Singh Munda’s legacy continues to inspire the fight for Adivasi rights in India.
For detailed story, please visit: Awaz the voice
Also Read: Sunil Jaglan: Change Maker of Gender Equality in Rural India
You can connect with DNN24 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
