Science & Technology Prelims Question

Lala Lajpat Rai was the progenitor of the ‘Safety Valve’ theory behind the formation of the Indian National Congress.
The idea of forming a political organisation that would raise issues and grievances against the colonial rule did not emerge in a vacuum. Between 1875 and 1885, there were many agitations against the British policies in India. The Indian textile industry was campaigning for imposition of cotton import duties in 1875. In 1877, demands for the Indianisation of Government services were made vociferously.
There were protests against the Vernacular Press Act of 1878. In 1883, there was an agitation in favour of the Ilbert Bill.
They now began to brand the nationalists as ‘disloyal babus’ ‘seditious Brahmins,’ and ‘violent villains.’ The Congress was described as ‘a factory of sedition’ and Congressmen as ‘disappointed candidates for office and discontented lawyers who represent no one but themselves.’
In 1888, Dufferin, the Viceroy, attacked the Indian National Congress in a public speech and ridiculed it as representing only the elite ‘a microscopic minority.’ George Hamilton, Secretary of State for India, accused the Congress leaders of possessing ‘seditious and double sided character.’
The first session was attended by lawyers, doctors and journalists. There was negligible participation from peasants.

Lala Lajpat Rai was the progenitor of the ‘Safety Valve’ theory behind the formation of the Indian National Congress.
The idea of forming a political organisation that would raise issues and grievances against the colonial rule did not emerge in a vacuum. Between 1875 and 1885, there were many agitations against the British policies in India. The Indian textile industry was campaigning for imposition of cotton import duties in 1875. In 1877, demands for the Indianisation of Government services were made vociferously.
There were protests against the Vernacular Press Act of 1878. In 1883, there was an agitation in favour of the Ilbert Bill.
They now began to brand the nationalists as ‘disloyal babus’ ‘seditious Brahmins,’ and ‘violent villains.’ The Congress was described as ‘a factory of sedition’ and Congressmen as ‘disappointed candidates for office and discontented lawyers who represent no one but themselves.’
In 1888, Dufferin, the Viceroy, attacked the Indian National Congress in a public speech and ridiculed it as representing only the elite ‘a microscopic minority.’ George Hamilton, Secretary of State for India, accused the Congress leaders of possessing ‘seditious and double sided character.’
The first session was attended by lawyers, doctors and journalists. There was negligible participation from peasants.

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