Question

In the Indian National Congress, how were the Moderates different from the Extremists

Answer 1

Differences Moderates and Extremists

Moderates

• Moderates believed in Liberalism and Moderate Politics. They believed that the British rulers were merely unaware of the plight of the Indian masses and that once they were made aware the British authorities would do their utmost to improve the lives of the local populace.
• The moderates found their support base in the Zamindars and the upper-middle-class
• Moderates wanted greater autonomy and self-rule while still under the nominal rule of the British crown
• Moderates limited their struggle to constitutional means
• Prayer, Petition, Persuasion, and Philanthropy. Their demands were constitutional, and so was their agitation. Their methods were regarded as ‘Passive Resistance’.
• Dadabai Naoroji, A.O. Hume

Extremists

• The Extremist leaders firmly believed that the British had no interest of the Indian people in mind. It was evident from the lacklustre response from the authorities during a plague or famine
• The extremists found their support bases among the educated middle-class and lower classes
• Extremists wanted completed independence from British rule
• Extremists often used extra-constitutional methods often during their activities
• Extremists were radical in terms of their approach, and believed in militant methods including but not limited to the assassination of key personnel.
• Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak