Previous Year Question

The Surat Session of the Indian National Congress was held in December 1907, and Dr. Rash Behari Ghosh was chosen as its President.

This session is particularly important in the history of the Congress because the differences between the Moderates and the Extremists came openly to the surface and resulted in the famous Surat Split.

Extremist leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak and his supporters wanted the Congress to adopt a more active and confrontational political programme. They favoured Lala Lajpat Rai for the presidency, but Lajpat Rai declined to contest for the post and supported Rash Behari Ghosh.

The dispute between the two groups became so intense that the proceedings fell into disorder and the meeting had to be adjourned sine die.

Thus, Dr. Rash Behari Ghosh was the President of the Surat Session of 1907.