BJP Lok Sabha MP Anurag Thakur on Thursday, 23 July 2026, paid homage to freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his birth anniversary, honouring the nationalist leader's enduring legacy and his iconic call for self-rule.

Context

Thakur's post, written in Hindi, invoked Tilak's immortal declaration — 'Swaraj mera janmasiddh adhikar hai aur main ise lekar rahunga' ('Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it') — describing him as a great freedom fighter, an immortal son of Mother India, a renowned social reformer, and a nationalist thinker. He offered shat-shat naman (a hundred salutes) to Tilak on the occasion of his Jayanti.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, born on 23 July 1856 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, is widely regarded as one of the foremost architects of India's independence movement. His slogan became a rallying cry for millions demanding an end to British colonial rule.

Policy Backdrop

Annual Tilak Jayanti observances on 23 July have been conducted by governments and political parties since 1947, marking his contributions to the independence movement. The centenary of Tilak's death in 2020 saw nationwide tributes and official memorial programmes organised by the central government.

Tilak rose to prominence within the Indian National Congress as a leader of its extremist faction alongside Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal — collectively known as the Lal-Bal-Pal trio — who pushed for immediate self-rule at a time when moderate voices favoured gradual constitutional reform. His advocacy of Swaraj, Swadeshi, and mass mobilisation fundamentally reshaped India's freedom struggle.

Stakeholders and Impact

BJP parliamentarians have consistently issued public tributes to pre-independence nationalist figures such as Tilak, highlighting themes of Swaraj and cultural self-assertion as part of a broader political messaging strategy. These tributes connect the party's contemporary identity to the radical strand of the freedom struggle that demanded complete and immediate independence.

For Indian citizens and nationalist groups, Tilak Jayanti serves as an occasion to reflect on the sacrifices of the independence movement and the values of self-reliance and national pride that his life embodied. The government's Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, launched in 2021 to commemorate 75 years of Indian independence, also featured tributes to freedom fighters including Tilak.

What's Next

Tilak Jayanti tributes across party lines are expected to continue through the day, with official events and social media observances marking the anniversary. Upcoming anniversaries of other leaders from the Lal-Bal-Pal era, including Lala Lajpat Rai, are likely to prompt similar parliamentary and public commemorations in the months ahead.

As India's political discourse increasingly draws on the symbolism of its freedom struggle, figures like Tilak remain central to how parties of all stripes articulate their vision of nationalism and self-determination for contemporary audiences.