While living in the Congress, some people felt that we cannot get freedom by mere persuasion, argument and debate etc. To get rid of imperialism, it is necessary to follow the path of struggle. Therefore, on the basis of these ideas, the extremist mentality was nurtured. The following were the reasons for the rise of this extremist ideology and extremism-
1. Identifying Imperialism
It was only after 1887 that the disgusting face of the government started coming in front of the people and Dadabhai Naoroji exposed the British with his theory of 'drain of wealth'. In the initial 20 years of the Congress, about 9.5 million people died in the severe famine that occurred between 1896-1900. But the British rule did nothing for the people suffering from famine. The Indians were annoyed by the two-pronged policy of recruitment in the Raj services and the government had adopted an indifferent attitude towards the riots in South India. In this way, ignoring the problems of Indians by the government was very painful.
2. Dissatisfaction with the achievements of Congress
The youth wing of the Congress was not satisfied with the achievements of its old leaders. His persuasion policy had completely failed to fulfill his objectives. Therefore, the youth became a strong critic of this policy and began to believe that this political beggary policy of the Congress was the biggest obstacle in achieving independence. Tilak termed Congress conferences as 'conference of sycophants' and said that Congress can achieve Swaraj not by its persuasion but by 'direct action'.
3. Development of education
With the widespread dissemination of education in India, political and social consciousness had spread among the people. They had started discriminating between right and wrong in their own interest. They blamed foreign rule for their educated unemployment and were determined to throw off the yoke of slavery. For this, he was inclined towards the extremists, who could embody his spirit.
4. Resentment against westernization in India
The moderates of the Congress were in favor of westernization for change in India, on which the extremists of the Congress did not agree. He was against the westernization of India. They used to think that this would merge the Indian civilization with the western culture. Arvind Ghosh said, 'Freedom is the goal of our life and it will be fulfilled only by Hinduism'. In such a situation, Dayanand Saraswati, Vivekananda and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee aroused dissatisfaction among Indians against western culture and they brought the richness of Indian culture in front of the people. The ugly form of western civilization was exposed.
5. International Influence
International events of this time also helped in the rise of nationalism in India. Japan becoming a super power in 1868, and the defeat of Italian forces by Ethiopia in 1896, the defeat of Russia by Japan were such events which agitated the mind of Indians and incited them to get freedom because these events made the British had broken the myth of invincibility. 'Garrett' has written that Tilak's movement got a lot of strength after Italy's defeat from a nation like Ethiopia. So Indians had come to know the truth that the countries of Asia continent can progress without any external cooperation.
6. Rapid exploitation of India
Despite the severe famine in the 19th century, continuing to collect tax and not imposing tax on goods imported from Britain, while imposing import tax on Indian products in Britain on exported goods, it was the policy of British Indian economic exploitation, which was strongly condemned. It was really painful to exploit and insult the Indian people even during riots in the South and plague like epidemics in the North West. Tilak said about the plague officers that "these plague officers are more dangerous than the plague."
7. Development of self-confidence and self-esteem
Extremist leaders of Congress 'Lal, Bal, Pal' i.e. Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Vipin Chandra Pal taught the lesson of self respect to Indians. They used to say that indigenous oppression is better than foreign rule. Tilak said "Swaraj is my birthright. I will have it." He appealed to the public to recognize their powers and awaken their self-respect. Tilak did this very well through his Ganesh Utsav and Shivaji Mahotsav in Maharashtra.
8. Curzon's reactionary policy
The reign of Lord Curzon (1899-1905) is famous for its blunders and commissions. Its heinous act like partition of Bengal was strongly condemned across the country. Curzon refused to accept India as a nation. He understood that the people of India are different on the basis of caste and creed. He bitterly criticized the Congress and said, "It is just an organization to vent the anger of the mind." He used to consider Indians as liars. His reactionary policy towards India reached its peak in 1905 at the time of the partition of Bengal. He wanted to divide India on communal lines. The intention of the British Government was made clear by his work.
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