Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/76

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56
LOKAMANYA TILAK

prosecuted five persons for rioting, all of whom were acquitted by the Magistrate. (23rd Mar. 1891).

While the ashes of the 'Age of Consent' controversy were still hot, another episode, still less important widened the breach between Mr. Tilak and the Reformers. Mrs. Ramabai—that enterprising Indian Christian lady—had, by her untiring efforts in America, collected funds for the establishment of a Resident School for Indian girls, especially widows. Mr. Tilak, did not at all approve of the idea of a school for Indian girls managed by a Christian lady; but knowing full well that the Reformers could not command the necessary sacrifice and organising capacity, he reluctantly enrolled his name among the sympathisers of the institution, after satisfying himself that only secular education would be imparted in the school. When, however, he read in the Illustrated Christian Weekly of New York (21st Dec. 1889) that there were about four students in the school studying Christianity or attending Christian prayers in a Church, he indignantly asked what became of Mrs. Ramabai's pledge that the school would strictly remain secular in its character. Mrs. Ramabai protested and explained the circumstances under which her four students were receiving Christian training. The Advisory Committee consisting of men like Mr. Ranade and Dr. Bhandarkar took Mrs. Ramabai to task and asked her to confine herself to secular education. Mrs. Ramabai had to yield for a time. But she soon threw overboard the Advisory Committee by managing to secure for herself plenary powers from the Head Office in America. This was the moment when