Deepak Prakash raised the issue of tribal identity and heritage in the Rajya Sabha, urging the Centre to develop a dedicated Adivasi Cultural Corridor to preserve and promote the legacy of the Urav and Santhal communities of Jharkhand and adjoining regions.
Speaking in the Upper House, the BJP MP said the Urav and Santhal tribes possess one of the most ancient living cultures in the country and that their historical and spiritual sites deserve structured protection and national recognition. He proposed the development of a “distinct cultural corridor” linking key heritage locations spread across Jharkhand and Bihar.
Referring to Rohtasgarh, Mudma, and Marang Buru, Prakash said these sites together represent the civilisational memory, faith systems, and traditional governance structures of tribal society. Rohtasgarh in Bihar, he said, symbolises the valour of the Urav community and preserves the memories of their ancestors.
Mudma, located in Mandar block near Ranchi, he noted, is not only a sacred religious site but also the birthplace of the traditional Padha system of tribal self-governance, which has sustained indigenous society for centuries.
He described Marang Buru, located in the Parasnath region, as the supreme deity of the Santhal community, stating that it is not merely a mountain but a core symbol of Santhal identity and existence.
To underline the cultural significance of these locations, the MP recited poetic lines in the House highlighting ancestral faith and heritage. He stressed that protection of tribal communities is inseparable from preservation of their cultural and historical legacy.
Prakash also expressed concern that several sites of global cultural importance continue to lack basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and drinking water. He urged the government to adopt a holistic approach by developing the proposed corridor with essential amenities and conservation measures.
He said the proposed cultural corridor linking Mudma, Marang Buru, and Rohtasgarh would help familiarise the country and the world with India’s indigenous civilisation, culture, and tribal history.