During the Jani Shikar festival, Shilpi Neha Tirkey, the Agriculture Minister of Jharkhand, described the event as a celebration of the Uraon tribe’s heritage, observed every twelve years. She explained that the festival recalls the Rohtasgarh victory, achieved by tribal women against the Mughals. This cultural event involves women taking on the roles of men and participating in hunting, as a symbol of their bravery. The Minister made these remarks at the 2025 Jani Shikar festival, which was held at the Dibrugarh District Library auditorium in Assam and organized by the All Tribal Women’s Association of Assam and the All Tribal Students Association of Assam. Minister Tirkey, as the chief guest, emphasized the importance of preserving traditions. She also addressed the challenges faced by the tribal community in Assam, including discrimination, limited access to healthcare and education, and the struggle for fair wages and ST status. The Minister acknowledged that the struggle for women’s empowerment has been continuing for 200 years. She also mentioned concerns about the attempts to undermine the rights of the citizens. The event included the participation of Dr. Sonajharia Minj, the UNESCO co-chairperson, and other notable guests.
