Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/384

 tive and organizing work done by Mr. Tilak, when most of them were nobodies, they would not, like rebellious children, have stooped to pass a vote of censure upon the father of the institution. The Hon. Mr. Paranjpye might find it convenient to ridicule the public which sympathised with Mr. Tilak on the occasion of his re- tirement from the Society, but the public v^as not far in the wrong and Mr. Tilak was really the victim of incessant intrigues aimed mainly at his downfall.

When, in 1890, Mr. Tilak left the D. E. Society, he found himself almost shunned by the intelligentia of Poona. A less courageous and enterprising man would not have survived this defeat. Nor were his oppo- nents willing to let him alone. A most foolish, uncalled- for legislation was undertaken by the Government of India as a concession to the continual pressure brought upon them by the leading lights of Social Reform. Mr. Tilak opposed it tooth and nail but was prepared for a reasonable compromise. The turn-headed reformers, however, brooked no conciliation. Mr. Tilak was stigmatised as an incendiary, a destructive worker. The air was thick with his condemnation. Feelings ran so high that whatever was opposed by Mr. Tilak was liked and supported by his opponents. The Sharada Sadan, an institution conducted by a Christian lady, had begun to develop unhealthy features. The original compact was gradually being set aside, and Christianity insidiously sought to be preached. Mr. Tilak got scent of the matter. He raised a note of warning. At once like mad dogs, his opponents rushed at him, " Mr. Tilak was an enemy of female education !" " Cut him !" At last after more than one year of quibbling.