Page 37 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

assimilation of all caste and community groups. Until 1904-05,
the British had no idea that these festivals were being used for
patriotic activities. In 1908, Tilak was charged with sedition
charges by the British Government and was sentenced a jail of
6 years to be served in Mandalay, Burma. Even after Tilak went
to Mandalay, the nature of these festivals remained the same
and patriotic programs continued during those times. “He
returned from Mandalay in June 1914. At that time, the British
had issued an ordinance preventing anyone from visiting him.
The British were afraid that Ganeshotsav would come in a few
months after that and Tilak would continue his activities. The
British had taken steps to prevent Tilak from benefiting from
these festivals” - states historian Sadanand More in his book
‘Lokmanya te Mahatma’. The British imposed strict restrictions
during these festivals after this - speeches by Tilak were banned,
use of his photos was not allowed, and to applaud anyone other
than Lord Ganesh was not allowed. After Tilak was banned
from speaking, he used to attend these events without saying
a word. That was enough in that situation too. He used his
mere presence to instill patriotism. This marks the widespread
popularity Tilak had gained in masses.

The Power of Media - Kesari and Mahratta
Lokmanya Tilak wanted to inculcate both collective
thinking as well as action into the masses. For the cultivation
of enlightened minds Tilak started and edited two weekly
newspapers - Kesari in Marathi and Mahratta in English.

खींचो न कमानों को न तलवार ननकालो, जब तोप मुकानबल हो तो अख़बार
ननकालो
The above quote (shayari) says that “Don’t pull the arrows,
don’t take out the sword, when the cannon is fit, take out the
newspaper”.
Lokmanya Tilak did the same thing as quoted above.

He used his writing as a weapon against the British colonial
rulers. Through these newspapers Tilak became widely known
for his bitter criticism of British rule. This also highlights Tilak’s
visionary power to anticipate the future needs and the means
to achieve them. His insistence on mass participation can be
35 Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata