Question

With reference to the Surat Split of 1907, answer the following question:

What were the issues on which the two wings of Congress had differences of opinion? How did the British exploit the differences between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists?

Answer 1

The Assertive Nationalists wanted Lala Lajpat Rai to be the President of the Surat Session, while the Early Nationalists suggested Rashbehari Ghosh. When the session began in December 1907, there was confusion, leading to a split in Congress. The Assertive Nationalists were expelled for nine years. This split was unfortunate as it gave the British a chance to benefit from the situation. They followed a policy of “concession and repression,”  offering concessions to Early Nationalists and Muslims while repressing the Assertive Nationalists.