President Murmu addresses 9th International Santal Conference at Darjeeling
President Droupadi Murmu attended the 9th International Santal Conference at Darjeeling, West Bengal, on 7 March 2026, recalling the Santal Hul of 1855 and the inclusion of Santali in the Eighth Schedule in 2003.
Summary
President Droupadi Murmu graced the 9th International Santal Conference at Darjeeling, West Bengal, on 7 March 2026. The President said Tilka Majhi had raised the banner of revolt against exploitation nearly 240 years ago, and that about 60 years later the brothers Sido-Kanhu and Chand-Bhairav, with the sisters Phoolo-Jhano, led the Santal Hul of 1855. She said 2003 would always be remembered by the community, because Santali was added to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution that year; the Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003 added Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali. Last year, on Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth anniversary, the Constitution of India in Santali in the Ol Chiki script was released. The President noted that Pandit Raghunath Murmu invented the Ol Chiki script in 1925, whose centenary was celebrated recently, and that he also wrote plays such as 'Bidu Chandan' and 'Sido Kanhu â Santal Hul'.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 7 March 2026, Darjeeling, West Bengal
- Event
- 9th International Santal Conference
- Santal Hul
- 1855; led by Sido-Kanhu, Chand-Bhairav, Phoolo-Jhano
- Earlier revolt
- Tilka Majhi, ~240 years ago
- Eighth Schedule
- Santali added in 2003 by the 92nd Amendment (with Bodo, Dogri, Maithili)
- Ol Chiki
- Invented by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925
Practice MCQs 3 questions
President Droupadi Murmu attended the 9th International Santal Conference on 7 March 2026 at which place?
Show answer
Correct answer: D â Darjeeling
The President graced the conference at Darjeeling, West Bengal.
The Ol Chiki script, used for Santali, was invented in 1925 by whom?
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Correct answer: A â Pandit Raghunath Murmu
The President said Pandit Raghunath Murmu invented Ol Chiki in 1925; its centenary was celebrated recently.
The Constitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act, 2003 added which languages to the Eighth Schedule?
Show answer
Correct answer: B â Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali
The 92nd Amendment inserted Bodo, Dogri, Maithili and Santali, taking the Eighth Schedule to 22 languages.