Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Thousands Join World Tribal Day Rallies Across Madhya Pradesh
Every year on August 9, tribal and Indigenous people around the world mark a special day for their communities.
In the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, thousands of tribal people joined big rallies.
They marched through many towns, including Ratlam, Sendhwa, Neemuch and Bhikangaon.
People wore traditional clothes and silver jewellery and shouted "Jai Johar."
The rallies asked for fair rights to water, forests and land.
They also asked for good schools, jobs and equal treatment for tribal people.
Leaders gave speeches and put flowers on statues of tribal heroes like Birsa Munda.
In Bhikangaon, more than 10,000 people walked together and 2,000 young trees were handed out.
In Kasrawad, a statue of hero Tantya Mama Bhil was revealed, and people promised to protect trees.
Police watched over the rallies so everyone stayed safe.
Thousands of tribal community members joined rallies across Madhya Pradesh on World Tribal Day (August 9), raising issues of water, forest, land, education, employment and women's rights.
Rallies were held in Alirajpur, Sendhwa, Bhikangaon, Ratlam, Sailana, Bagh, Sanawad, Neemuch and Kasrawad, with MLAs Sena Patel, Montu Solanki and Sachin Birla among the leaders participating.
In Bhikangaon, over 10,000 people from more than 10 villages marched with slogans including "One arrow, one bow, tribals are same," and over 2,000 saplings were distributed.
Statues of Birsa Munda, Khajya Nayak, Tantya Mama Bhil and Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar were garlanded, while in Kasrawad a statue of Tantya Mama Bhil was unveiled.
Participants in traditional attire carried bows, arrows and the tricolour, chanting "Jai Johar" and "Jai Adivasi," with police maintaining tight security at several processions.
- Who
- Thousands of tribal community members, youth and women, along with leaders including Jobat MLA Sena Patel, Sendhwa MLA Montu Solanki, Sanawad MLA Sachin Birla and Tribal Development Council officials.
- What
- Rallies, public meetings and statue-unveiling ceremonies marking World Tribal Day, with demands over water, forest, land, reservation, education, employment and women's rights.
- When
- August 9 (World Tribal Day / International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples); the Kasrawad rally was held the following Monday.
- Where
- Across Madhya Pradesh, India, including Alirajpur, Sendhwa, Bhikangaon, Ratlam, Sailana, Bagh, Sanawad, Neemuch and Kasrawad.
- Why
- To remember tribal history and struggles, raise a voice against exploitation and violence, and call for unity, rights and cultural preservation.
- Event
- World Tribal Day / International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
- Date
- August 9; Kasrawad rally held on the following Monday
- Locations
- Nine towns in Madhya Pradesh, India: Alirajpur, Sendhwa, Bhikangaon, Ratlam, Sailana, Bagh, Sanawad, Neemuch, Kasrawad
- Key demands
- Water, forest, land, reservation, education, employment and women's rights; opposition to dowry, corruption and labour exploitation
- Largest reported rally
- Over 10,000 people from more than 10 villages in Bhikangaon
- Saplings distributed
- Over 2,000 in Bhikangaon; sapling plantation also held in Kasrawad
- Slogans
- "Jai Johar", "Jai Adivasi", "Amu Akha Ek Chhe", "One arrow, one bow, tribals are same"
- Security
- Police maintained tight security at Ratlam, Sailana, Sanawad and other processions