Remembering Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak And Chandra Shekhar Azad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid his tribute to the two great freedom fighters of India - Chandra Shekhar Azad and Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak - on their birth anniversaries. "Salute to the two brave sons of Mother India, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Sekhar Azad on their birth anniversaries," PM Modi wrote on Twitter.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu posted on social media: "Today, July 23rd marks the birth anniversaries of two great sons of India - Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad. I feel that present-day youth must read about their lives and sacrifices made for country's freedom."

Today, July 23rd marks the birth anniversaries of two great sons of India—Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad.

I feel that present-day youth must read about their lives and sacrifices made for country's freedom.

Read my full facebook post- https://t.co/DNu6CxyQtl pic.twitter.com/KOjrVH8s4v

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) July 23, 2020

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his tribute to Chandra Shekhar Azad, described the freedom fighter as "the heroic son of Mother India and the immortal revolutionary...His name inspires Indians to die for the country. I bow down to Chandra Shekhar Azad, who sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country!" Remembering Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Defence Minister said, "...He was a true patriot who envisioned the idea of Independent India."

I bow to Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his birth anniversary. He was a true patriot who envisioned the idea of Independent India.

Lokmanya Tilak was a towering personality, blessed with immense wisdom. His contribution to India's freedom movement will always be remembered.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 23, 2020

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born on in 1856, in Ratnagiri and Chandra Shekhar Azad in 1906. Several leaders across party lines remembered Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad on social media.

I join a grateful nation in paying homage to the revolutionary freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad Ji on his birth anniversary.

His life & love for motherland continue to inspire every Indian.

Vande Mataram! pic.twitter.com/Q7OpJK3qRm

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) July 23, 2020

Pay my tributes to the revolutionary freedom fighter #ChandrashekharAzad ji on his birth anniversary. He sacrificed himself so that we all could breathe in the air of freedom. His courage and fearlessness will continue to inspire generations to come. pic.twitter.com/7R2wDqCK1r

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) July 23, 2020

Remembering the two legends of Indian Independence Movement, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad on their birth anniversary. My respectful tributes. pic.twitter.com/KqjNNQo4Le

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) July 23, 2020

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray paid his respect to Bal Gangadhar Tilak and spoke about the freedom fighter taking on the British regime fearlessly with his pen. Tilak was a prolific writer and started two weeklies called 'Kesari' in Marathi and 'Mahratta' in English. State BJP chief Chandrakant Patil paid his tribute to Bal Gangadhar Tilak, describing him as a "great social reformer, philosopher and writer."

Chandra Shekhar Azad's call for freedom was immortalised by his slogan -"Dushman ki goliyon ka hum samna karenge, Azad hi rahein hain, azad hi rahenge" which means, "We will face the bullets of enemies. We were free and we will remain free."

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak was one of the strongest proponents of 'Swaraj', meaning self-rule. He tirelessly contributed towards driving India free from colonial rule. His famous line, "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it," reverberates even today.