Page 34 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

Kulkarni, it remains the greatest tragedies of Indian freedom
movement that the spirit of Hindu-Muslim unity and Congress
Muslim co-operation did not stand the test of subsequent
developments. Why? Either by design or otherwise, the
Montegue-Chamesford Reforms (MCR) in 1919 completely
ignored the key demands of the Lucknow pact. This apparently
distracted both Congress and Muslim league who wasted their
energies in responding to the provisions of MCR. Tilak`s
death in 1920 did have an impact on taking the pact forward
and importantly, a voice which Jinnah valued, respected and
listened to was lost. Another reason why Lucknow Pact proved
a nonstarter is in the emergence of Gandhiji on the freedom
fighting scene. Though he was not principally opposed to
the pact, for him pushing the non-violence agenda was more
important and he focussed on that. Also, he did feel and express
that this pact may encourage sectarian demands from others in
the times to come. Perhaps this could be a reason for his not
pushing the pact forward.
All things considered, the current criticism on Lokmanya
Tilak regarding signing of this pact is not justified. As said
above, it has to be viewed in the light of situation, priorities,
events and objectives of that period. In fact, both Tilak and
Jinnah need to be appreciated for taking a timely initiative and
craft a strategy to win self-rule from British. The circumstances
which didn`t allow the pact to succeed were unforeseen and
beyond their control.
Little do people realise that Lucknow Pact, conceived and
executed by Tilak was, apart from the 1857 revolt against
British, still remains the only other effort to unite Hindus and
Muslims in the freedom movement and political process.

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