President of India Droupadi Murmu attended the 9th International Santal Conference in Darjeeling, West Bengal, on March 7, 2026.
Addressing the gathering, she praised the Santal community’s historic role in India’s freedom struggle and cultural preservation.
She recalled Tilka Majhi’s revolt nearly 240 years ago and the leadership of Sido-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, and Phoolo-Jhano during the Santal Hul of 1855. She emphasised that the inclusion of the Santali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 2003 marked a milestone. She also noted the release of the Constitution in the Santali language using the Ol Chiki script last year.
The President highlighted the contributions of Pandit Raghunath Murmu, who invented the Ol Chiki script in 1925 and composed plays that spread social awareness. She urged the community to remain connected with their language while learning other scripts.
She praised tribal communities for preserving folk music, dances, and traditions while maintaining harmony with nature. She stressed the importance of passing lessons of conservation to future generations and balancing tradition with modern development.
Murmu called for focus on education, health, and economic empowerment. She encouraged tribal youth to pursue skill development and progress through education.
