The historic slogan “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it”, etched in the annals of India’s freedom struggle, was first declared by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Belgaum (now Belagavi) during the Bombay State Political Conference of 1916.
Born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, the fiery nationalist founded the Home Rule League in April 1916 at Belgaum. His league focused on Maharashtra (including Bombay city), Karnataka, the Central Provinces, and Berar, and was structured into six branches to carry out its activities.
On June 14, 1916, after his release from jail, Tilak visited Shivanand Theatre at Khade Bazar, Belgaum(Now Belagavi), where a grand public meeting was organized. He was accompanied by two of Belgaum’s prominent freedom fighters — Shri Gangadharrao Deshpande, known as the “Lion of Karnataka”, and Shri Govindrao Yalagi.
This was Tilak’s second and final visit to the city, the first having been in 1905, when he inaugurated the Ganesh Festival at Zenda Chowk, a public celebration initiated by Deshpande and Yalagi.
The 1916 conference in Belgaum also marked the first meeting between Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi. Despite attempts to dissuade Gandhi from attending, he responded firmly, writing:
“Nothing but only death can prevent me from going to Belgaum and attending the conference.”
Gangadharrao Deshpande served as the Secretary of the Reception Committee for the conference and was later named one of the Vice Presidents of the Home Rule League, highlighting Belgaum’s pivotal role in India’s independence movement.
They served the nation with dedication and distinction. Long live the memory of the contributions of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Shri Gangadharrao Deshpande, and Shri Govindrao Yalagi.