Mains Daily Question
Dec. 8, 2023
Q1. ‘Unlike popular opinion, it was not the failure but the success of the moderates that paved the path for the emergence of extremists.’ Do you agree? (10M, 150W)
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Approach to the answer: Understanding the question: The question talks about the contributions of moderates or early nationalists in the freedom struggle of India. Here, the statement indicates what is the common notion and how the notion is incorrect. We need to list the contributions of moderates and state how they led to the rise of extremists in the Indian political setup. Introduction: We can introduce the answer by explaining or defining who were the moderates or we can also start by highlighting some of the important contributions of moderates in the freedom struggle. Body: Since the question asks us whether we agree with the statement or not, first we have to choose and then justify our stand. Here, to justify we need to highlight either important contributions or disappointments/failures of moderates which resulted in the emergence of the extremists/ neo-nationalists in the freedom scene. Conclusion: We can conclude by summarizing the arguments used in the body section or we can also state the long-term impact of the contributions of moderates. |
Answer: The moderates were a group of leaders (early nationalists), who were staunch believers in ‘liberalism’ and ‘moderate’ politics. They believed in constitutional agitation to achieve political progress in India.
The success of Moderates paved the way for extremists:
- Economic Critique of British Imperialism: The Moderates were able to create an all-India public opinion that British rule in India was the major cause of India’s poverty and economic backwardness. This promoted the growth of extremists.
- For instance, Dadabhai Naoroji, R.C. Dutt, and others, carefully analysed and put forward the “drain theory” to explain the British exploitation of India.
- Constitutional/Legislative Reforms: The moderates worked with the long-term objective of a democratic self-government. They were able to enhance their political stature and build a national movement. This created a second order of Indian nationalist leaders who were later called extremists.
- For instance, the nationalists were able to transform the councils under the Indian Council Act 1892 by voicing their concerns.
- Administrative Reforms: The demand for administrative reforms resonated with the Indian-educated middle class, which became the breeding ground of extremists.
- For instance, their demands were the Indianization of civil services, an increase in expenditure on welfare and a decrease in the emoluments of British officials (home charges) etc.
- Growth of Press: The use of press to propagate ideas widened the scope of leadership as the people from the hinterland became empathetic to the vision of extremists.
- For instance, leaders like BG Tilak used the press (newspapers like Mahrata and Kesari) to propagate his ideas.
- Protection of Civil Rights: The moderates were able to spread modern democratic ideas therefore the defence of civil rights became an integral part of the freedom struggle. This gave the confidence to extremist leaders like BG Tilak to raise their opinions.
- For instance, because of increased awareness, there was greater public outrage at the arrest of Tilak in 1897.
The above successes of the moderates nourished the neo-nationalists to take over the baton of the freedom struggle and carry it forward.
