Consider the following statements regarding the formation and early sessions of the Indian National Congress: 1. The safety-valve theory regarding the foundation of the INC was popularized by Lala Lajpat Rai in his work 'Young India' to argue that Allan Octavian Hume acted to diffuse revolutionary discontent. 2. W.C. Bonnerjee presided over the first session of the INC held in Bombay in 1885. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Lala Lajpat Rai popularized the safety-valve theory in his nationalist publication Young India to criticize the early Indian National Congress leaders for founding the organization merely to appease British interests and diffuse popular discontent. Simultaneously, W.C. Bonnerjee successfully presided over the inaugural session of the Indian National Congress held in Bombay in December 1885. Both historical assertions are well-established facts frequently examined in modern Indian history questions.