The famous “Surat Split” of 1907 within the Congress occur...
The 1907 session of Congress was held on the bank of tapti river and presided by Rash Behari Ghosh. Moderates believed that some issues with the government should be solved with discussions and dialogue. On the contrary, extremists believed in agitation, strikes and boycotts. Moderates supported Rash Behari Ghosh as President whereas extremists supported Lala Lajpat Rai or Bal GangaDhar Tilak for the post of President.
The extremist wanted the 1907 session to be held in Nagpur while Moderates wanted it in Surat. The agreement could not be reached and resulted in the split of the Congress.
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The famous “Surat Split” of 1907 within the Congress occur...
The Surat Split of 1907
The Surat Split was a significant event in the history of the Indian National Congress, marking a division between two factions: the Moderates and the Extremists. This split occurred during the 1907 Congress session in Surat and stemmed from deep ideological differences.
Causes of the Split
- Ideological Differences: The Moderates, led by leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, believed in gradual reforms through dialogue and constitutional means. In contrast, the Extremists, spearheaded by leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, advocated for more direct action and a more aggressive approach towards British rule.
- Rigidity in Positions: The differences became pronounced when the factions took rigid stances regarding the location of the Congress session and the choice of its president. The Extremists insisted on holding the session in Calcutta and proposed Tilak as president, while the Moderates preferred Surat and supported a moderate candidate.
Consequences of the Split
- Impact on the Congress: The split weakened the Congress temporarily, creating a vacuum in leadership and unity. The Extremists were marginalized, leading to a temporary decline in their influence.
- Long-term Effects: The division highlighted the growing rift within the Indian freedom movement, which would continue to evolve in the years to come. It also laid the groundwork for future confrontations between different ideological factions.
In conclusion, the Surat Split of 1907 was primarily due to the rigid positions taken by the Moderates and Extremists regarding the venue and leadership of the Congress session, leading to a significant but temporary rift in the struggle for Indian independence.
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