The Indian National Congress (INC) was established in 1885 under several significant circumstances:
Circumstances Leading to the Establishment of INC:
Economic Exploitation and Policies of the British:
- The economic policies of the British colonial rule, which included heavy taxation, drain of wealth, and exploitation of Indian resources, led to widespread discontent among the Indian populace.
Rising Middle Class:
- A new middle class of educated Indians emerged, who were exposed to Western ideas of democracy, nationalism, and liberalism. This class was keen to address the grievances of Indians and seek a greater role in governance.
Social and Religious Reform Movements:
- Various social and religious reform movements, such as the Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, and others, fostered a sense of unity and reformist zeal among Indians, paving the way for political mobilization.
Political Awareness and Local Associations:
- Regional political associations and public meetings became increasingly common, and there was a growing demand for political rights and representation. Leaders like Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, and others were instrumental in organizing political activities.
Role of British Administrators:
- Some British administrators, like A.O. Hume, who was a retired civil servant, believed that a platform for dialogue between the British and Indians would be beneficial for the administration and reduce the chances of another rebellion like the one in 1857. Hume played a key role in bringing together Indian leaders to form the INC.
Establishment of INC:
- The INC was formally established on December 28, 1885, at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in Bombay. The first session was attended by 72 delegates, with Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee elected as the first president.
Attitude of Muslims Towards the INC:
The attitude of Muslims towards the INC varied over time and among different groups:
Initial Support:
- Initially, many Muslims supported the INC and participated in its activities. Leaders like Badruddin Tyabji, who became the third president of the INC in 1887, were actively involved in the organization.
Emergence of Separate Identity:
- Over time, a segment of the Muslim community began to feel that the INC was predominantly Hindu in its leadership and interests. They were concerned about their political, economic, and educational rights being overshadowed.
Formation of All India Muslim League:
- By the early 20th century, the sense of a separate Muslim identity led to the formation of the All India Muslim League in 1906. The League aimed to protect and advance Muslim interests separately from the INC.
Differing Attitudes:
- Some Muslim leaders continued to work within the INC framework, while others increasingly aligned with the Muslim League. The INC had Muslim leaders and members who supported its nationalist agenda, but the League's distinct focus on Muslim representation marked a growing divergence.
Partition of Bengal:
- The partition of Bengal in 1905, initially supported by some Muslims as it created a Muslim-majority province, later led to opposition when the INC and Hindu leaders strongly protested the partition. The partition's annulment in 1911 further strained Hindu-Muslim relations.
Lucknow Pact (1916):
- The Lucknow Pact marked a brief period of Hindu-Muslim unity, where the INC and the Muslim League agreed on a joint platform for political reforms and representation. However, this unity was short-lived, and communal differences resurfaced.
In summary, the INC's establishment was driven by socio-economic conditions, rising political consciousness, and the involvement of both Indian and British leaders. The attitude of Muslims towards the INC evolved from initial support to a sense of separate identity and eventually the formation of a distinct political organization, the All India Muslim League, to address their specific concerns.
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