During Indian freedom struggle, the National Social Conference was formed What was the reason for its formation?
Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose
Understanding the National Social Conference Formation
The National Social Conference was an important organization that worked alongside the Indian National Congress during the Indian freedom struggle. Its formation had a specific reason related to the priorities and functioning of the Indian National Congress.
Reason for National Social Conference Formation
The primary reason for the formation of the National Social Conference was the stance of the Indian National Congress regarding social reforms. The early leaders of the Indian National Congress were primarily focused on achieving political rights and demanding reforms from the British government. They believed that incorporating controversial social reform issues directly into their political agenda might alienate different sections of Indian society and weaken the unity required for the political struggle.
To address this concern, a decision was made to create a separate platform where social issues could be discussed and debated without impacting the main political deliberations of the Congress sessions. The National Social Conference was thus formed and would often meet immediately after the annual sessions of the Indian National Congress, using the same pandal (tent) and delegates.
Prominent figures associated with the National Social Conference included M.G. Ranade and Raghunath Rao, who played key roles in its establishment and activities. Behramji Malabari was also a notable social reformer of the time, known for his work on issues like child marriage and the age of consent, and was associated with the broader social reform movement.
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the provided options in light of this historical context:
- Option 1: "Different social reform groups or organizations of Bengal region united..." This option focuses specifically on Bengal and suggests a union of existing groups. While social reform was active in Bengal, the National Social Conference was intended as a national-level body associated with the INC, not just a regional union. This statement is not the primary reason for its formation.
- Option 2: "Indian National Congress did not want to include social reforms in its deliberations and decided to form a separate body for such a purpose." This statement accurately reflects the historical reason. The INC prioritized political goals and created a separate forum, the National Social Conference, to handle social reform discussions without mixing them with their main political agenda.
- Option 3: "Behramji Malabari and MG Ranade decided to bring together all the social reform groups of the country under one organization." While M.G. Ranade was a key figure, and bringing social reform groups together was a function of the Conference, this option doesn't capture the crucial role of the Indian National Congress's decision in initiating this separation and formation. The Conference was essentially an adjunct to the INC initially.
- Option 4: "None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct in this context." Based on the historical evidence, option 2 is correct, making this option incorrect.
Therefore, the most accurate reason for the formation of the National Social Conference is that the Indian National Congress chose to keep its political and social reform deliberations separate, leading to the creation of this distinct body.
| Organization | Primary Focus (Early Period) | Approach to Social Reforms | Associated Body for Social Reforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian National Congress (INC) | Political demands and rights | Did not want to include directly in main sessions | National Social Conference |
| National Social Conference | Social issues and reforms | Discussed separately from political matters | Attached to INC sessions |
Revision Table: Key Facts on National Social Conference
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Formed In | 1887 |
| Associated With | Indian National Congress (INC) |
| Key Figures | M.G. Ranade, Raghunath Rao |
| Purpose | To discuss and promote social reforms separately from INC's political deliberations. |
| Meeting Schedule | Met annually, usually after the INC session. |
| Relation to INC | Often described as the social reform cell of the INC. |
Additional Information: Social Reform Movements in India
The 19th century saw a surge in social reform movements across India. These movements aimed to eradicate social evils like Sati, child marriage, caste discrimination, and promote education, especially for women. While some reformers worked independently or through specific organizations (like the Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission), there was also an effort, as seen with the National Social Conference, to bring these issues to a national platform alongside the political movement. The decision of the Indian National Congress to separate political and social discussions reflects the complex challenges faced by leaders in addressing diverse societal issues while building a united front against colonial rule.
- Many reformers believed that social progress was necessary for political progress.
- However, others in the political movement feared that pushing for drastic social changes might divide the population along traditional lines (caste, religion, custom) and weaken the anti-colonial struggle.
- The National Social Conference served as a compromise, providing a space for social reform advocacy linked to, but distinct from, the main political activities of the INC.
