Page 113 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

IV. HINDU MUSLIM COOPERATION

Tilak was an innovative mobiliser of the common people in
the anti-British movement. When he introduced the Ganesh
Utsav and Shivaji Jayanti into the public sphere in Maharashtra
some people criticised him for being a “Hindu communalist”.
However, they ignored the fact that he also participated in the
“Moharram” processions with his Muslim friends in Pune.
At the same time Muslims took part in the Ganesh Utsav and
Shivaji Jayanti festivals. He made it clear in his writings that
these festivals are not meant for rousing sentiments against
any community. Its sole purpose was cultural self- assertion of
the people living under the British rule. In one of his articles
in Kesari, he wrote, “When Hindus and Muslims together ask for
Swaraj from a common platform, the British government has to realise
that its days are numbered.”
Tilak said in a speech- “Hindu Muslim unity is a matter for
rejoicing. British rulers feel that if the unity between the two
communities will continue it would be impossible for the British
to rule; so, they follow the policy of divide and rule. Hindus and
Muslims are brothers, and India is their mother”. As mentioned
before Tilak participated in Moharram processions; when the
processions stopped near a mosque the people honoured their
beloved leader with the slogan “Hindu Muslim Ekta Ki Jai”.
Tilak’s views on Hindu Muslim cooperation were evident in
the “Lucknow Pact” in 1916. The Lucknow Pact was between
the Congress and the Muslim League, and the principal
architects were Lokmanya Tilak and Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
In his speech on patriotism in 1905 he said “Patriotism must
be composite. The limits of patriotism must be widened. For
achieving larger national good both communities should display
a spirit of accommodation”. This was the spirit of the Lucknow
Pact.

V. TILAK’S VIEWS ON THE CASTE SYSTEM
Lokmanya Tilak endured criticism from people calling him an
“anti-Bahujan casteist” leader. But Tilak’s concept of “Swaraj”
was truly a democratic Raj. The “Swaraj” that he was seeking
envisaged immediate end of British rule and handing over the

111 Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata