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The Emergence of the Indian National Congress The book under review, as the title implies, explains in considerable detail the background and circumstances, both social and political, that led to an awakening among the Indians about their civic rights under the British rule, growth of nationalism, and consciousness about the need and utility of forming associations, culminating in the establishment of the Indian National Congress in December 1885. Another factor responsible for the emergence of this organisation was the tremendous wave of liberalism, sweeping across English politics and literature during the 19th century. By studying English literature, particularly the poetry of the Romantics like Wordsworth and Shelley, and the European history, containing the saga of the French Revolution, educated Indians imbibed the spirit of democracy and patriotism which were also the stated ideals of British rulers. Then fortunately we had among English men liberal-minded and imaginative rulers like Lord Ripon (Viceroy from 1880 to 1885) who appreciably promoted local self-government and greatly curtailed the privileges of the Europeans. Perhaps he had a brief from Prime Minister Gladstone who had been a disciple of Edmund Burke and who had devoted his life to serving the principles of the Gospel in politics. These two and many more right-thinking and justice-loving English men were responsible for the coming into being of the Indian National Congress, of course with the efforts of the retired civilian Allan Octavian Hume. Though he did the entire spadework with exemplary zeal and devotion, he did not crown himself with the party’s presidency. The first session of the Congress held in Bombay on December 28, 1885, presided over by a Bengali barrister W.C. Bannerjee who, in his presidential address, defined the objects or the Congress quite lucidly, which were "mainly the promotion of personal intimacy and friendship amongst all the earnest workers in our country’s cause, and the eradication by direct friendly intercourse of all possible race, creed, or provincial prejudices amongst all lovers of our country, and the fuller development and consolidation of those sentiments of national unity that had their origin in their beloved Lord Ripon’s ever memorable reign". The president also referred to some of the more important and pressing social and political questions of the day. According to an eyewitness account of a press correspondent (recorded by the author) "the most remarkable thing about the first Congress was the moderation, the earnestness, the practicability and the loyalty which characterised its proceedings. Every member had inwardly resolved upon having less of words and more of work, every one of them inspired with an inward feeling that it was real work for his country which had called him to that hall, real work and no long or tall talk." This miracle was made possible by the redoubtable Hume’s sincere and unrelenting efforts extending over full two years to constitute a forum for projecting and discussing by Indians themselves, their social and political problems and aspirations. For this he had held prolonged parleys with the concerned people both in India and England. All glory to the man! |
