Lord Curzon, who was the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, made this controversial statement in 1900. He was referring to the Indian National Congress, which was the largest political party in India at that time and was actively advocating for Indian independence from British rule.

Reasons for Curzon's statement

There were several reasons why Curzon made this statement:

1. Curzon was a staunch imperialist who believed in the superiority of British rule in India. He was opposed to any form of Indian nationalism or independence movement, which he saw as a threat to British interests in India.

2. The Indian National Congress was gaining popularity among the Indian masses, especially after the Partition of Bengal in 1905. This made Curzon and other British officials nervous, as they feared that the Congress would eventually demand complete independence from British rule.

3. Curzon was also frustrated with the Congress for its refusal to cooperate with the British government on various issues, such as the partition of Bengal and the suppression of the Swadeshi movement.

Impact of Curzon's statement

Curzon's statement caused a lot of controversy and outrage among Indian nationalists and Congress leaders, who saw it as a direct attack on their movement. It also highlighted the growing divide between the British government and the Indian people, and helped to galvanize support for the Congress and other nationalist groups.

Conclusion

Lord Curzon's statement about the Congress was a reflection of his deep-seated prejudices and fears about Indian nationalism and independence. However, it also served to strengthen the resolve of Indian nationalists and Congress leaders, who continued to fight for independence from British rule in the years that followed.