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| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Owner | Kesari Mahratta Trust[1] |
| Founder | Bal Gangadhar Tilak |
| Publisher | Kesari Mahratta Trust[1] |
| Founded | 4 January 1881; 145 years ago (1881-01-04) |
| Language | Marathi |
| Website | www |
Kesari is an IndianMarathi languagenewspaper which was founded on 4 January 1881 byBal Gangadhar Tilak, aself-rule activist in theIndian independence movement. It is owned and managed by the Kesari Mahratta Trust, which also overseesMahratta, an English-language newspaper.
Kesari was established on 4 January 1881[2] byBal Gangadhar Tilak, aself-rule activist in theIndian independence movement. One of two weekly newspapers established by Tilak,Kesari was published in theMarathi language, while its counterpart,Mahratta, was published in English.[3] Tilak wrote several articles inKesari, on issues such as land tenure and revenue, war expenditure, high salaries paid to British officials, and the colonial exploitation of Indian resources.[3] AHindu nationalist who nevertheless supportedHindu-Muslim unity, Tilak sought to create a Hindu public sphere. ManyKesari editorials described how this sphere was formed and mobilised through religious events, in an attempt to create a shared and cohesive national culture.[4]
In 1897, Tilak was tried and imprisoned forsedition on the basis of views he had expressed inKesari. The prosecution was triggered by his violent rhetoric in relation to the assassination of two plague officials, W. C. Rand and Charles Ayerst; the assassinations had occurred following theBombay plague epidemic, after which Tilak had counselled the "murder of Europeans".[5][6] In 1908, Tilak was again tried and imprisoned for sedition, when his articles inKesari defended the Muzaffarpur bombings which had led to theAlipore bomb case.[6][7] On both occasions of his imprisonment,Narasimha Chintaman Kelkar assumed the role of editor.[7]
At one time such oppression gave rise to small insurrections in England; and it was only when the people of that country rose in rebellion, and, after dethroning the King, introduced constitutional rule that no occasion was left for them to resort to violent means for effecting administrative reform.
— Bal Gangadhar Tilak,Kesari, 12 May 1908[6]
From 1924 to 1939,Kesari regularly published articles and editorials in support ofItalian fascism,Benito Mussolini, andfascist Italy.[8] Across a series of editorials, the newspaper depicted Italy's transition from aliberal government to afascist dictatorship as a move from anarchy to order. Mussolini's political reforms, particularly the shift from electedmembers of parliament to nominated ones and the substitution ofparliament itself with theGrand Council of Fascism, were also praised considerably.[9]
D. V. Tahmankar, the London correspondent ofKesari, was a known admirer of Mussolini. In 1927, he published a biography entitled 'Muslini ani Fashismo' (lit. 'Mussolini andFascism').[9] The book detailed the organisation of the fascist state, the fascist social system, thefascist ideology, and Italy's recent history. The entirety of the final chapter was dedicated to fascist society and its institutions, notably the youth organisations.[9]
A lengthyKesari article, entitled 'Italy and the Young Generations' and published on 13 August 1929, claimed that Italy's youth had taken over the leadership of the country from the older generations, resulting in what it described as a "fast ascent of Italy in every field".[9] The article went on to provide a detailed description of the organisation of Italian society along fascist ideals. The discipline attributed to the Italian youth was explained as the product of strong and widespread religious sentiments, close attachment to the family, and respect for traditional values; these values were defined through the rejection of divorce and those who remained unmarried, and the denial ofwomen’s right to vote, with women depicted as having no role beyond the home.[9] The article then focused on the Italian fascist youth organisations, those being theOpera Nazionale Balilla and theAvanguardia Giovanile Fascista.[9]
An online Marathi periodical calledThe Daily Kesari continues to be published, edited by Bal Gangadhar Tilak's great grandson, Deepak Tilak.[10]
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