Moderates
The Moderates were the one who dominated the affairs of the Indian National Congress from 1885-1905.
- They were Indians but in reality British in taste, intellect, opinions, and morality. They believed in patience, steadiness, conciliation, and union.
- The Moderates believed that the British basically wanted to be just to the Indians but were not aware of the real conditions.
- They were called moderates because they appeal through petitions, speeches and articles loudly professing loyalty to the British Raj.
Leaders of the phase
- The leader of the first phase of the National Movement were A.O. Hume, W.C. Banerjee, Surendra Nath Banerjee, Dadabhai Naoroji, Feroze Shah Mehta, Gopalakrishna Gokhale, Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Badruddin Tyabji, Justice Ranade, G.Subramanya Aiyar, etc.
- The moderate phase of the national movement had a narrow social base and the masses played a passive role.
- This was because the early nationalists lacked political faith in the masses; they felt that there were numerous divisions and subdivisions in the Indian society and the masses were generally ignorant and had conservative ideas and thoughts.
Demands of Moderates
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They plea for the extension of legislative council that leads to the popular control of the administration.
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Removal of restriction on freedom of the press and the speech.
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Abolition of arms act which breaches the freedom of people
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Separation of judiciary from the executive
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A supporter of Democracy and Nationalism
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Exploitative relation of the British could be exempted.