The Moderates and Extremists

2020-04-27 15:15:22

Surat Split

congress split at Surat in December 1907. Session was presided by Rash Behari Ghosh.
Moderates wanted to work within the constitutional framework under the British Empire.
Extremists believed that the war of independence had begun.
Pherozeshah Mehta, Dinshaw Wacha, Gokhale did not appreciate radical tendencies.
Lal, Tilak wanted reconciliation.
Ajit Singh not wanted compromise.
Issue was how to incorporate radicalism into future politics of Congress.
1906 Calcutta session - victory of Extremists w/ support from C Moderates 4 res passed partition condemned.
- Boycott, swadeshi, national education, swaraj.
- Extremist party born w/ Tilak as leader.
1907 - scheduled at Poona which was extremist stronghold but moderates shifted it to Surat, Lala refused president, Rash Behari Ghosh won.
- FS Mehta wanted purging of extremists.
- 1908 Bengal model of politics rejected, allegiance to Raj reiterated.

Lacked faith in common people and failed to acquire a root among them
Failed to organise mass movements
idea of pleas did not bring enough administrative and other reforms and were treated with contempt by the British.
beliefs and political ideas had become obsolete.
seen as the weaker link among the nationalists.
John Morley in 1907 put forward the policy of repression-conciliation-suppression aka the policy of carrot and stick.
Moderates led by Pherozshah Mehta thought it to be dangerous to be with the extremists.
Both the parties were unable to see that the colonial state was negotiating because of the fear of extremists and that the Moderates were the outer defence for the extremists.
Both failed to gauge the importance of a nationwide mass movement.

First 20 yrs moderate politics, anglicised upper class, little time for full politics, uniformity in objective
Influenced by Utilitarian theories, Edmund Burke, JS Mill, John Morley
Equated liberty w/ class privilege, gradual piecemeal reform

Ltd self gov
Abolition of IN Council which prevented liberal policies
Broaden IN participation, 50% elected rep in local bodies, chambers of commerce, univs etc
New councils NWFP, PUN
2 IN mem in Viceroys Exec council
Right to discuss, vote and interpellation.
Indianisation of civil services, stop money drain, against racism.
Mil expenditure be reduced.
Against classical economic theory of free trade, newer mode of extraction through free trade and foreign capital investment.
None demands fulfilled.
- IT reimposed in 1886.
- Salt tax raised from Rs 2 - 2.5.
- Fowler comm fixed high exchange rate for Rupee.
Not organised agitation.

Factionalism : Bengalee vs Amrita Bazaar patrika, Gokhale vs Tilak, division of Arya samaj,
Frustration w/ moderate politics.
Curzon’s policies : racial arrogance, despotic imperialism, Calcutta Municipal Amendment Act 1899 reduced elec reps, IN Universities act 1904, partition. [[#Gopal Krishna Gokhale 1866-1915]]