Indian self-rule activist (1856–1920)
Bal Gangadhar Tilak (23 July 1856 – 1 August 1920), born Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, was a popular leader of the people who fought for Indian independence during the Indian Independence Movement. He was a journalist, teacher, social reformer, playwright, and lawyer. He was also a political extremist. He founded the Home Rule League in 1915. He was given the epithets "Father of the Indian unrest" by the British colonial authorities and “Father of Indian Consciousness”. Tilak was also addressed by the honorific "Lokmanya" (meaning: "Accepted by the people as their leader). A coin bearing Lokmanya's image has been issued.
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Lack of rain indeed causes famine but it is also true that the people of India have not the strength to fight evil. The poverty of India is wholly due to the present rule. India is being bled till only the skeleton remains…all the vitality of the people is being sapped and we are left in an emaciated state of slavery.
(A non-Hindu) may not perhaps go with me to the same temple to pray to God, perhaps there may be no intermarriage and inter-dining between him and me. All these are minor questions. But, if a man is exerting himself for the good of India, and takes measures in that direction, I do not consider him an alien.