Ganesh Utsav Banned During British Rule – The HistoryGanesh Utsav Banned During British Rule – The HistoryDEEPANSHU SHARMAImage Source: freepik.comGanesh Utsav, today one of India’s biggest festivals, once faced restrictions under British colonial rule. Here’s the history you probably didn’t knowIn the late 1800s, Lord Ganesha’s festival was a private family affair, celebrated quietly within homes across MaharashtraFreedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak transformed Ganesh Chaturthi into a public celebration in 1893, to unite Indians against colonial ruleThe British saw the large gatherings as political threats, fearing they would become spaces for nationalist resistance and revolutionPublic processions, patriotic speeches, and songs became part of Ganesh Utsav, spreading nationalist ideas under the guise of religious celebrationDespite restrictions, people continued celebrating secretly, using the festival as a tool of unity and defiance against British ruleTilak’s efforts made Ganesh Utsav not just a religious event, but also a powerful symbol of India’s freedom struggleToday, Ganesh Utsav thrives across India, reminding us how faith and freedom once walked hand in hand against oppressionFrom colonial bans to massive celebrations—Ganesh Utsav remains a festival of devotion, unity, and resilience. Ganpati Bappa Morya!