Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23: Dogra Brahman Pratinidhi Sabha (DBPS) today celebrated the birth anniversaries of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and revolutionary freedom fighter Chander Shekhar Azad, paying rich tribute to their contributions to India’s freedom movement.
The function, held under the chairmanship of Sabha President Ved Parkash Sharma, saw speakers highlighting Tilak’s pivotal role in awakening political consciousness among Indians during British rule.
Sharma recalled how Tilak used education, journalism, and politics to inspire people to resist colonial oppression.
Other prominent speakers, including Sabha Chairman Advocate PC Sharma, NMC President Subash Shastri, and former Deputy Commissioner BS Jamwal, described Tilak as one of the earliest advocates of Swaraj (self-rule).
They said Tilak strongly believed in Indian culture, tradition, and nationalism, earning the title “Lokmanya” – meaning “accepted by the people.”
Tawi Andolan President Chander Mohan Sharma, former JMC Commissioner Soujanya Sharma, and Bawa Bhairdev Sathan Trust General Secretary Ramesh Sharma highlighted Tilak’s role as a journalist through his newspapers Kesari and Mahratta, which became powerful tools against British policies.
Prominent social and religious representatives including Nanak Chand Sharma, ML Sharma, Satyanand Sharma, Shiv Ram Sharma, SS Baru, Prem Balotra, Ritiz Khajuria, Devinder Sharma, Sanjiv Kerni, and others also paid homage.
They recalled Tilak’s famous slogan, “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it,” which became a rallying cry for the independence movement.
Meanwhile, the Sabha also remembered Chander Shekhar Azad on his birth anniversary, praising his bravery and supreme sacrifice for the nation’s freedom.
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