Previous Year Question

The fundamental cause of the Surat Split was the difference between the Moderates and the Extremists over ideology, methods of struggle and their approach towards the British Government. The Extremists had no faith that the Moderates’ methods of constitutional negotiation, prayers and petitions would produce effective results.

The Moderate leaders wanted to obtain gradual reforms through petitions, resolutions, delegations and constitutional negotiations. In contrast, the Extremists sought to advance towards Swaraj through Swadeshi, Boycott, National Education, passive resistance and popular mobilisation.

At the Calcutta Session of the Congress in 1906, presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji, resolutions relating to Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott and National Education were adopted. In the following year, the Moderates wanted to restrict or dilute these resolutions, particularly Boycott, which the Extremists opposed.

The 1907 Session was initially to be held at Nagpur but was subsequently shifted to Surat, where the Moderates had greater influence. The Moderates supported Rash Behari Ghosh for the presidentship, whereas the Extremists wanted Lala Lajpat Rai as President. Lajpat Rai himself decided to withdraw from the presidential contest.

The Extremists wanted the resolutions on Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott and National Education adopted at Calcutta to be reaffirmed. During the dispute, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was prevented from speaking, after which disorder broke out and the Congress split into the Moderate and Extremist groups.

The foundation of the Muslim League and Lord Minto’s communal policies were important developments of that period, but they were not the direct principal cause of the Surat Split. The dispute over the presidentship was not related to the candidature of Aurobindo Ghosh. Therefore, (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect.