- Briefly
read about contribution of Lal, Bal and Pal to India’s Freedom Movement.
Lal (1865-1928) was from Punjab, full name Lala Lajpat Rai. He is also called Sher-e-Punjab.
Soniya
wrote in ThePrint, “The freedom fighter, part of the famous radical trio
of ‘Lal, Bal, Pal’, is known as ‘Punjab Kesari’ or ‘The Lion of Punjab’. He was
a lawyer, a prolific writer and also a leading freedom fighter who faced
multiple stints in jail for his campaigns against the British Raj. The
three were ardent proponents of robust swadeshi infrastructure to wean Indians
off British systems, and while Rai went on to co-found the Punjab National Bank
in 1894, Hans Raj and Vidyarthi co-founded the ubiquitous DAV schools. In the
early 1920s, Rai also set up the National College in Lahore, whose students would include Bhagat Singh and
Sukhdev.”
"There was deep resentment in India in 1928 when the British sent the Simon Commission – which had no Indian as member – to effect constitutional reforms.
On 30 October 1928, Rai led a
peaceful march to protest against the commission. However, British police
officer James A. Scott ordered a lathi-charge and Rai was among the protesters
injured seriously. He succumbed to his injuries on 17 November 1928.” Source
and to read more
Also read by Dr Kapoor Lala Lajpat Rai gave a fillip to India's Freedom Movement
Bal
was from Maharashtra, full name Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
The
public celebration of the Ganapati festival - Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav - was started by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar
Tilak in 1893.
By
reviving an old institution like the Ganapati festival and transforming it into
a public celebration, Tilak sought to, and succeeded, in challenging the decade
plus monopoly of the moderate-liberal leaders who had set the agenda for social
and political reforms in the country.
As
N.R.Inamdar, a political scientist and historian, writing on the political
ideas of Tilak in the book Political
Thought in Modern India (Edited by Thomas Pantham and Kenneth L Deutsch, Sage Publications, 1986), explains: "To Tilak, a feeling of oneness among the people and pride in their country's heritage were the vital forces of nationalism. He believed that fostering among the people the feeling that they have common interests to be pursued and realised through united political action could develop nationalism. This idealistic and romantic conception of nationalism did inspire and united the de-spirited and divided people of India. Tilak referred to Akbar and Shivaji as illustrious rulers who forged national unity across regional, religious and caste barriers”.
Read
excerpts from book
on Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Pal
(1858-1932) was from Bengal, full name Bipin Chandra Pal. According to this article in India Today, “Pal is known as the 'Father of Revolutionary Thoughts' in India and was one of the freedom fighters of India. He emphasised on the use of Indian goods and believed that the boycott of foreign goods would help in eradicating poverty and unemployment. He did not believe in mild form of protests like Non-Cooperation with the government. He had a multi-faceted personality that included being a leader, teacher, journalist, orator, writer and librarian.”
He is
called the Father of Revolutionary Thought in India. Hear video (1.02 minutes)
These
three dominated Indian politics in the first two decades of the 20th
century.
Noted
journalist and author the late Girilal Jain wrote in The Hindu Phenomenon, “As Bande Mataram, the extremist paper edited
by B C Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh explained: “Swaraj as a sort of European ideal
will not awaken India. Swaraj as the fulfilment of the ancient life of India
under modern conditions, the return of Satyagraha
(the era of truth) of national
greatness, the resumption by her of her great role of teacher and guide,
self-liberation of the people for the final fulfilment of the Vedantic ideal in
politics, this is the true Swaraj for India.” Pg. 48.
Also read
1.
The
Triveni Sangam of the Independence Movement in Tamil Nadu
2.
VP
Menon the man who saved India
3.
Veer
Surendra Sai – Freedom Fighter from Orissa
4.
Life
Story of Sardar Patel
5.
How
the INA contributed to India’s Independence
6.
Karnataka
Goddess of Courage – Kittur Rani
7.
Who
was responsible for Partition
8.
Did
Ahimsa get India freedom?
9. History of the Arya Samaj by Lala Lajpat Rai