Question

The Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress, 1916 was a significant one as it led to the readmission of the extremists to congress. What were the reasons which facilitated this readmission? Also what were the consequences of this re-unification?

Answer 1

Approach:

• In brief, highlight the significance of INC Lucknow Session 1916.
• Then highlight the reasons for the readmission of extremists.
• In the end highlight why this readmission was important and what was the consequence.

The Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress, presided over by a Moderate, Ambika Charan Majumdar, finally readmitted the Extremists led by Tilak to the Congress fold. Another significant development to take place at Lucknow was the coming together of the Muslim League and the Congress and the presentation of common demands by them to the government.

Various factors contributed to the admission of extremists:
(i) Old controversies had become meaningless now.
(ii) Both the Moderates and the Extremists realised that the split had led to political inactivity.
(iii) Annie Besant and Tilak had made vigorous efforts for the reunion. To allay Moderate suspicions, Tilak had declared that he supported a reform of administration and not an overthrow of the government. He also denounced acts of violence.
(iv) The death of two Moderates, Gokhale and Pherozshah Mehta, who had led the Moderate opposition to the Extremists, facilitated the reunion.

There was a large amount of enthusiasm generated among the people by this reunion. Even the government decided to placate the nationalists by declaring its intention to grant self-government to Indians in times to come, as contained in Montagu’s August 1917 declaration. The declaration said “The government policy is of an increasing participation of Indians in every branch of administration and gradual development of self governing institutions with a view to the progressive realisation of responsible government in India as an integral part of the British Empire.”

The Lucknow Pact between the Moderates and the Extremists could be considered an important event in the course of the nationalistic struggle for freedom.