Topic: Rise of Extremism and its causes

Question : Briefly discuss the causes for the rise of Extremism ?

Answer :

The closing decade of the 19th century and early years of the 20th century witnessed the emergence of a new and younger group within the Indian National Congress which was sharply critical of the ideology and methods of old leadership The agitation following the partition of Bengal brought into prominence the rise of a new political ideology which differed in some essential points-from that which had hitherto dominated the Indian National Congress The proponents of these two distinct schools of thoughts came to be identified as the Moderates and the Extremists The fundamental difference between the two parties related to both the political goals and the methods to be adopted to achieve it As regards the political goal, the idea of the Congress as defined in 1905 was colonial form of self-government, whereas that of the Extremists was absolute autonomy free from foreign control It was because of ideological differences with Tilak and his group that the Moderate leaders were determined to keep Tilak and Congressmen of his line of thinking out of all positions of power and responsibility in the Congress.

Among the causes and circumstances that helped in the growth of Extremism the following deserve special mention:

1. The efforts of the early nationalist leaders paved the way for the development of the next stage of the nationalist movement. By their paintstaking studies and writings the early nationalist leaders had exposed the true nature of British rule in India. They conclusively proved by elaborate statistical data that British rule and its policies were responsible for the economic rule of India and her deepening poverty. Scholarly writings of nationalist leaders like Ranade’s “Essay in Indian Economics” (1898), Dadabhai Naorojis “Indian Poverty and un-British Rule in India” (1901), R.C. Dutt’s “Economic History of India” (1901) were the arsenals from which the new leaders shot their arrows at the British rule in India.

2. The intellectual and emotional inspiration of the new leadership (Extremists) was Indian. They drew inspiration from Indian spiritual heritage, they appealed to heroes of Indian History and hoped to revive the glories of ancient India The writings of Bankim, Vivekananda and Swami Dayanand appealed to their imagination.

3. The younger elements within the Congress were dis-satisfied with the achievements of the Congress during the first 15-20 years and were disgusted with the cold and reactionary attitude of the Government. They were strongly critical of the methods of peaceful and constitutional agitation, popularly nicknamed as 3 Ps - Petition, Prayer and Protest.

4. The economic miseries of the closing years of the 19 century provided a congenial atmosphere for the growth of extremism in Indian national activity. The terrible families of 1896-97 and 1899-1900 coupled with the bubonic plague which broke out in Maharashtra took a heavy toll of life. These events revealed to the Indians their plight of utter helplessness. Even recurring famines were attributed to the anti-national policy followed by the Government.

5. Events outside India exercised a powerful influence on the younger generation The humiliating treatment meted out to Indians in British colonies, especially in South Africa, created anti-British feelings. Further, nationalist movements in Egypt, Turkey and Russia gave Indians new hopes and new aspirations. Indian nationalists gained more confidence and drew inspiration from Abyssinia’s repulsion of the Italian army (1896) and Japan’s thumping victory over Russia (1905).

6. Curzon’s seven-year rule in India which was full of ‘missions, omissions and commissions’ created a sharp reaction in the Indian’ mind.

7. The worst and most-hated aspect of Curzon’s administration was the partition of Bengal into two provinces of Bengal and Eastern Bengal and Assam in 1905. The partition brought in Bengali opposition and protests from the Indian National Congress (in 1904) showed the contemptuous disregard Curzon and the Home authorities had for Indian public opinion.

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