During the Indian freedom struggle, who among the following criticised the ‘moderates’ for their ‘politics of prayers’?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
During the Indian freedom struggle, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a prominent figure who strongly criticised the 'moderates' for their 'politics of prayers' or 'political mendicancy'. He, along with other 'Extremist' leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal (the "Lal-Bal-Pal" trio), believed that the moderates' reliance on petitions, appeals, and constitutional methods to achieve reforms from the British was ineffective and submissive. Tilak advocated for more assertive methods, self-reliance, and mass mobilisation, famously proclaiming, "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!"