Question

From among the following statements regarding Indian National Congress, which one are correct?

(A) As a movement, it incorporated different political trends, ideologies and social groups/classes so long as they were committed to democratic and secular nationalism

(B) The early nationalist leaders did not organize mass movements but did carry out an ideological struggle against the oppressors

(C) The early nationalist leaders fought against every infringment of the freedom of press and speech

(D) They struggled for separation of the judicial and executive powers and fought against racial discrimination

Choose the correct answer form the options give below:

1. (A), (B), (C), (D)
2. (B) and (D) only
3. (C) and (D) only
4. (A), (B) and (D) only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : (A), (B), (C), (D)
Indian National Congress

• The Indian National Congress (INC), a political party in India, was founded in 1885. INC conducted its first session in Bombay from 28 to 31 December 1885.
• Throughout much of the preceding century, a variety of organisations had striven to initiate reform among the religions of the sub-continent. The Brahmo Sabha, the Arya Samaj, the Theosophical Society, and other groups, had developed broadly similar doctrines and practices which can be described as neo-Hinduism.
• The birth of Indian National Congress (INC) marks the beginning of the first countryside attempt at nation-building in India, Congress started as an organisation of country's elite and educated middle classes with the sole aim of securing constitutional reforms from the British Government. The party great in strength and size under the inspiring leadership of the founding fathers like A.O. Hume, P.C, Banerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, William Wedderburn, Badruddin Tyabji and others.
• As a movement, it incorporated different political trends, ideologies and social groups/classes so long as they were committed to democratic and secular nationalism
• The history of the Congress during 1885 to 1905 may be described as a period of petitions and prayers for the immediate redress of urgent grievances in administration, while motivated a certain idealism in regard to India's political aspiration. The National Congress used to hold annual meetings.
• The number of delegates increased from year to year in spite of the hostility of the "British Indian Government. The leaders mentioned above were later called the Moderates.
• These Moderates or early Indian nationalists believed that a direct struggle for the political emancipation of the country was not yet possible. Accordingly, their methods were in keeping with their faith in British liberalism: they believed in the peaceful presentation of their grievances to the Government in order to redress them. 
• They did not organize mass movements but did carry out an ideological struggle against the oppressor.
• They sent regular deputations to Britain to educate the British public opinion in India's favour. The nationalist leaders popularised the idea of swadeshi as a means of promoting Indian industries and urged the government to reduce land revenue and abolish the salt tax.
• On economic, political and moral grounds, they put forward the demand for the Indianisation of the bigger grades of administrative services.
• Along with the demand for the separation of the judiciary from the executive, they urged the Government to undertake and develop welfare activities of the state. They opposed all restrictions on the freedom of press and speech.
• The country protested against Tilak's arrest in 1897 on the ground of sedition. This struggle for freedom of Press and speech became an integral part of the nationalist struggle for freedom.