Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/12

vi It has often been said that the Late Lokamanya was a practical politician and not an idealist with a vision. I naturally shrink from an attempt to classify his genius. The character of a truly great man defies classification. I shall relate one little incident of his life and leave the readers to put what name they please to his genius. In 1906, when the Congress was held in Calcutta the Lokamanya and many of my Maharashtra friends were my guests. One day during his visit a gentleman from Lucknow came to see him. I was present. This gentleman was a Moderate in politics and began to speak somewhat angrily. He accused Lokamanya of creating dissensions in the Congress camp and said "Do you know what the Mahomedans are doing ? They are combining against the Hindus and trying to start a Pan-Islamic movement." Lokamanya's eyes glistened. He said, "Are you sure?". This gentleman got very angry. He said "Sure ? I am as sure as I am here talking to you. I. have seen some of the letters. Whilst you are dividing the Hindus, the Mahomedans are uniting to crush us." To my surprise, Lokamanya said with a smile, which it is impossible for me to describe. "Then is