The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. The Congress had members with different ideologies and strategies to achieve their goals. Among them, the radicals and moderates had distinct approaches towards achieving self-government or Swaraj. In this article, we will explore how the politics of radicals differed from that of moderates within the Indian National Congress.
Radicals’ Approach:
- The radicals within Congress were known for their more aggressive and assertive approach to achieving their demands. They opposed the moderate’s “policy of petitions” and “resolutions” and explored more radical objectives and methods.
- The radicals laid stress on self-reliance and constructive work and demanded Swaraj or complete independence from British rule. They advocated for radical methods such as strikes and boycotts as means to achieve their goals.
- The radicals believed in the importance of building up India’s own industries and resources rather than relying on the British government.
- Some famous radicals within Congress were Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Aurobindo Ghose.
Moderates’ Approach:
- On the other hand, the moderates within the Congress followed a more reconciliatory approach towards the British rulers. They wanted self-government or Swaraj within the British Empire, and their whole attitude was reconciliation and not confrontation.
- The Moderates believed in British justice and were loyal to the British rulers. They presented their demands to the British through petitions, meetings, speeches, and resolutions.
- Some famous moderate leaders within Congress were Madan Mohan Malviya, M.G. Ranade, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, and Surendranath Banerjee.
Demands of Moderates and Radicals in Congress
Moderates:
- The moderates had several demands for reform and criticized government policies.
- Some of their significant demands were the expansion and reform of legislative councils, greater opportunities for Indians in higher posts by holding the ICS (Indian Civil Services) examination simultaneously in England and India, separation of the judiciary from the executive, more powers for local bodies.
- They also demanded a reduction of land revenue and protection of peasants from unjust landlords, abolition of salt tax and sugar duty, freedom of speech and expression, freedom to form associations, repeal of the Arms Act, reduction of spending on the army, and introduction of Permanent Settlement to other parts of India.
Radicals:
- The radicals within Congress were more aggressive in their demands.
- They believed in self-reliance as a weapon against domination and drew inspiration from Indian history, cultural heritage, national education, and Hindu traditional symbols.
- They wanted to inculcate pride in India’s glorious culture to generate the spirit of nationalism. They invoked goddesses Kali or Durga for strength to fight for the motherland.
- They were guided by four principles: Swarajya (self-rule), Swadeshi (boycott of foreign goods), Boycott of foreign goods, and National education to make Indians self-aware of their national identity.
Contributions of Moderates and Radicals:
Both moderates and radicals played significant roles in the Indian National Movement, and it is difficult to say which group was more successful.
Moderates:
- The moderates laid the foundation for the Indian National Movement by creating an all-India public opinion that British rule in India was the major cause of India’s poverty and economic backwardness.
- They also worked towards expanding councils and greater participation of Indians in councils. They campaigned for General Administrative Reforms and worked with the long-term objective of democratic self-government.
Radicals:
- Radicals contributed to the rise of mass movements and spread nationalist education.
- Radicals opposed the moderate’s ‘policy of petitions’ and ‘resolutions’.
- For example, while moderates would present their demands to the British through petitions and meetings, radicals advocated for more radical methods such as strikes and boycotts. They believed that these methods would be more effective in achieving their goals.
Major Differences
| Criteria | Moderates | Radicals |
|---|---|---|
| Beliefs | Believed in gradual and constitutional reforms within the framework of British rule | Advocated for a more radical approach towards independence, including the use of non-violent civil disobedience |
| Methods | Worked within the legal framework and used petitions, meetings, and speeches to push for reforms | Advocated for boycotts, strikes, and non-cooperation with British authorities to exert pressure |
| Leadership | Led by prominent figures like Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Pherozeshah Mehta | Led by leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal |
| Goals | Aimed to secure greater representation and rights for Indians within the British system, but not necessarily independence | Demanded complete independence and self-rule for India |
| Support Base | Mainly composed of educated and wealthy Indians who had benefited from British rule | Attracted support from a wider range of people, including the working classes, farmers, and students |
| Impact | Laid the groundwork for India’s eventual independence by raising awareness and pushing for reforms | Galvanized the independence movement and helped to mobilize the masses towards a more radical approach |
Conclusion
Both moderates and radicals played important roles in the Indian National Movement. Moderates laid the foundation for the movement by creating awareness of British rule’s negative impact on India’s economy and society. They worked towards democratic self-government through reforms and greater Indian participation in councils. Radicals, on the other hand, contributed to mass movements, spread nationalist education, and supported revolutionary activities.
The politics of radicals and moderates in Congress reflected different approaches and methods in pursuing Indian independence. While moderates pursued a more cautious and conciliatory approach, radicals adopted a more radical and assertive stance in their fight against British rule in India. Despite their differences, both groups played important roles in the larger struggle for India’s freedom from colonial rule.