Page 36 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

the foundation of Deccan education society, his seminal work
Geetarahasya, his political activism and so on. Each of these
initiatives became a medium for him to propagate his ideas
about Swaraj. He coined the slogan ‘Swaraj is my birth right
and I shall have it!!’ which still instills and inspires the idea of
free India. His tireless efforts to make India free from the British
colonial rule led him to be a known phenomenon in the masses
as well as in his fellow contemporary leaders.
He led the foundation of Indian Struggle for independence
through socio-cultural work, Education, and media. Tilak was
known for not mincing his words, he did not wary of publicly
speaking about his ideas and was the most vocal proponents of
complete independence (swarajya). No wonder he was called as
‘The father of Indian unrest’ by Sir Ignatius Valentine Chirol, a
British journalist and prolific author.
Every reform he brought, every initiative he took, every
strategy he planned is a validation to the master leadership skills
Tilak portrayed and to the wide mass appeal he had, which
made him a true Lokmanya - a leader accepted and revered by
people (masses).
Ganeshotsav and Shivjayanti - from Homes to Public

Ganeshotsav, a century old tradition, a festival then celebrated
in the households and Shivajayanti, celebration of the birth
anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj - the founder and
hero of the Maratha Empire to fight against the Mughal empire;
were seen as an opportunity by Lokmanya Tilak to awaken the
spirit of nationalism in the masses. This was a time when public
speeches and gatherings against the British rule were either
banned or required permissions from the British, who imposed
lot of restrictions on such events. Historian Bipan Chandra in
his book ‘India’s Struggle for Independence’ states, “Since 1893,
Lokmanya Tilak has used Ganeshotsav to propagate nationalist
ideology. Tilak used to propagate nationalism through patriotic
songs and speeches. That same year, Tilak also launched a
boycott movement on foreign clothing.” Tilak popularized these
two festivals and it is clear that the public celebration of the
Ganeshotsav and Shivajayanti, were clearly aimed at cultural

Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata 34