Lord Dufferin, the then Viceroy of India, made the statement that the Indian National Congress represents only microscopic minorities. This statement was made in the year 1888.

Explanation:

Lord Dufferin was the Viceroy of India from 1884 to 1888. During his tenure, he made various attempts to suppress the Indian National Congress. In 1888, he made a statement that the Congress represents only microscopic minorities. This statement was made in response to the demands made by the Congress, which were considered as anti-British.

The Congress was formed in 1885 with the aim of representing the interests of the Indian people and promoting their welfare. The Congress was formed by a group of educated Indians who were inspired by the ideas of democracy and freedom. The Congress was successful in bringing together people from different parts of India, who shared a common goal of fighting for independence from British rule.

However, Lord Dufferin believed that the Congress did not represent the majority of the Indian population. He argued that the Congress was dominated by a small group of educated and wealthy Indians, who were out of touch with the aspirations of the common people. Lord Dufferin believed that the Congress was a threat to the stability of British rule in India.

Conclusion:

Lord Dufferin's statement was a reflection of the British government's attitude towards the Indian National Congress. The British saw the Congress as a threat to their rule in India, and they made various attempts to suppress its activities. However, the Congress continued to grow in strength and played a significant role in India's struggle for independence.