New Delhi, August 01, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and several other Union ministers paid tribute to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his death anniversary. They remembered his immense contribution to India’s freedom movement, his nationalist journalism and his efforts to build public awareness, social unity and a strong sense of national pride.

Rajnath Singh said, “Humble tributes to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the great leader of the Indian freedom movement and a profound nationalist thinker, on his death anniversary. Through his journals ‘Maratha’ and ‘Kesari’, Lokmanya Tilak spread national consciousness and took the ideas of freedom to the masses. His timeless work ‘Gita Rahasya’ conveyed the message of Karma Yoga, duty and national responsibility. Through public Ganesh festivals and celebrations of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, he gave new energy to social unity, cultural consciousness and national self-respect. His immortal call, ‘Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it’, continues to inspire patriotism, self-respect and a sense of duty in every Indian.” Amit Shah said, “I remember and pay homage to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his death anniversary. Tilak Maharaj was among the leading heroes of the freedom movement who gave a new direction to India’s struggle for independence through his powerful ideas and exceptional organisational skills. He inspired the youth to join the freedom movement and serve the nation with the resolve of Swaraj, while his writings became a powerful voice of resistance against British rule. Lokmanya Tilak’s life and personality, which ignited the spirit of nationalism among the masses through cultural awakening, will continue to inspire us to follow the path of putting the nation first.”

Om Birla said, “Humble tributes to ‘Lokmanya’ Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a leading figure of the Indian freedom movement, a powerful nationalist thinker and educationist, on his death anniversary. By giving the immortal call of ‘Swaraj’, he gave a new direction to the freedom struggle and new energy to the people. His contribution to spreading national consciousness through newspapers such as ‘Kesari’ and ‘Maratha’, awakening people through public Ganeshotsav and Shivaji Jayanti celebrations, and his work in education helped organise Indian society and build its confidence. Lokmanya Tilak’s life, filled with struggle, patriotism and self-respect, will always remain a source of inspiration for every Indian.” J.P. Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nitin Gadkari and Manohar Lal also remembered Tilak’s contribution to the freedom struggle, his nationalist journalism and his efforts to strengthen national consciousness.

Nitin Gadkari described Tilak as a great freedom fighter, journalist and social reformer, saying that he gave the nation the guiding principle of “Swaraj to Surajya”. Manohar Lal also recalled Tilak’s famous declaration, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it,” and highlighted his dedication to the respect of the nation, language and culture. The tributes highlighted Tilak’s enduring legacy and the continued relevance of his ideals of self-rule, nationalism, public awakening and national pride.