Page 147 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

unequal pressure of reservation quota on Hindu’s educational
institutions, and exploitation of funds from Hindu temples. This
is against democratic principles and principles of justice. Right-
thinking intellectuals and thinkers must mobilise public opinion
against such omissions and restore confidence in Lokmanya’s
principle of ‘equality with justice’ implicit in the spirit of the
Lucknow pact.
Experiences about the projects concerning - Inter-Linking
of Rivers, Narmada Dam and POSCO - reveal a myopic and
perverse mindset of opposing long-term development and
creation of national wealth while depriving large sections of
population of benefits for ameliorating hardships. I have given
only few samples of the ill-effects of this retrograde mindset;
though, there are many more cases such as protests – nuclear
power plants, golden quadrilateral project of road construction,
and land acquisition – which have been stalled resulting in
cost escalation. What makes these social activists go against
developmental projects and creation of national wealth which
can reduce poverty, while claiming that their activities are for
safeguarding the poor? Don’t they see an obvious contradiction
in their thinking and actions? This phenomenon of ’irrational,
contradictory in thought and action’ behaviour, is baffling. The
phenomenon is adversely affecting India’s growth. It is taking
Indian society away from the path towards atmanirbharta and
surajya envisioned by Lokmanya Tilak.
Sociologists, psychologists, and sociopolitical economist
must investigate this phenomenon for finding a remedy on
the malady of negativity and irrationality; so that, India can
proceed with speed to become a strong economic power. This
is the best and perhaps the only way to attain surajya. Such a
course-correction is essential.

CONCLUSION
Due to technological developments, the concept of
nationalism has undergone a change since Lokmanya’s times,
though his idea of educating the masses in nationalism remains
very much valid more than ever before. One must understand
that nationalism required for obtaining swarajya has changed

145 Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata