MUSLIM LEAGUE (1906)Lack of political participation of Muslim and poor representation in administrative jobs led to formationof Muslim league.
It was initially founded by a group of Zamindars and well off Muslims. Syed AhmedKhan’s rhetoric of separate Muslim interests were its key principles. In 1906, All India Muslim League was set up under the leader-ship of Aga Khan, Nawab Salimul-lah ofDacca and Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk in Dacca. The League supported the partition of Bengal, opposed theSwadeshi Movement, and demanded special safegurds for its communityand a separate electorates ofMuslims.
This led to communal differences between Hindus and Muslims. Initial aims of Muslim leagues were delineated as –I. To promote among Mulims loyality towards the BritishII.
To safeguard the political and other interests of MuslimsIII. To prevent feeling of hostility towards other communities (i. e. it had no communal agenda whenit was founded)SURAT SPLIT (1907)In 1906 an imminient confrontation was avoided with appointment of Dadabhai Naroji as the newpresident – since he was revered by both the groups, they were pacified. With a view of conciliating thedifferences, idea of ‘ Swaraj’ was given in this session by Naroji and it was defined as the goal ofCongress. Four resolutions were passed at the 1906 session of Congresss (headed by Naroji) –I.
Condemning partition and policies of CurzonII. Uphold Boycott Movement, III. Support the Swadeshi Movement, IV.
Protest against existing Education Policy. Causes of split –I. The split happened on the question of retention of 4 resolutions and spreading of movement tothe rest of nation. II. Failure of Moderates – After the failure of moderates to get major gains, extremists becameimpatient. III. Bengal Split Agitation Issue – Led by Tilak and others they demanded for extension of massmovement and demand for Swaraj during Swadeshi Movement.
This didn’t go down well withModerates who wanted to restrict the movement to Bengal only. IV. Extremists were also encouraged by the two events outside India, namely – Defeat of Russia byJapanand defeat of Italian Army by Ethopians which broke the notion of invincibility ofEuropeansV.
Extremists were optimist overappointment of new Secretary of State Morley, but he failed to doanything over issue of partitionand it greatly annoyed the ExtremistsExtremists wanted either Tilak or Lala Lajpat Rai as president, but moderates wanted Rash Behari Ghose(not ‘ Rash Behari Bose’) to be president in 1907 session (which was to be held at Nagpur, but moderatesshifted it to Surat so that Tilak couldn’t be appointed as president as it had been policy of Congress toappoint a person from outside the province where session is held as president.) Meeting for the first timewas ruptured and when it held for next day, Tilak was denied the opportunity to speak by the Chair. Abrawl ensued ending in suspension of meeting sine die.
This came to a relief to British who were lookingfor an opportunity to subdue the activities of Congress. From next meeting, Extremists were barred fromCongress. All in all, the split benefitted neither Moderates nor Extremists, but only British government. Tilak was jailed soon after for a long 6 years to Mandaley in 1908. Extremists resorted to passive resistance and moderates took to petition for greater legislative reforms.
Moderates felt it as dangerous to support extremists as they might attract wrath of mighty British rule. Moderates didn’t realize that concessions by government were not to placate them, but to create a riftbetween them and extremists.
