Birth of Political Organisation (contd-2)

In April 1883, Surendra Nath Banerjea, in his paper Bengalee, openly criticized Justice J.F.Norris of the Calcutta High Court for his indiscreet comments against Indians and declared him unfit for his high office. Thereupon Surendranath was charged with contempt of Court, found guilty and sentenced to two month's imprisonment.At that time Surendranath was the most famous Indian politician and the idol of young Indians.His conviction and imprisonment created a profound impression not only in Bengal, but throughout India which showed that India was on the threshold of a new era.
The Association held an All India National Conference in Calcutta in Dec. 1883. The first national conference was presided by Ramtanu Lahiri.

Ramtanu Lahiri (1813-1898)- a dedicated follower of Derozio, a renowned teacher and a social reformer. Peary Chand Mitra wrote about him, “There are few persons in whom the milk of kindness flows so abundantly. He was never wanting in appreciation of what was right, and in his sympathy with the advanced principles.”
Born in a high kulin Brahmin family of Krishnanagar, Nadia, and educated at Hindu College, Ramtanu , was attended by delegates from different parts of India including Bombay, Madras, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Lahore, and Saugar.

In 1884, following the conference, Surendranath Banerjea went on a propaganda tour of upper India to promote the spirit of national unity among the peoples of India.

In May 1884 the Madras Mahajana Sabha was formed to join hands with the rest of the country.

In the Bombay  Presidency Poona had emerged as a centre of Maratha  political aspirations. The Poona Sarvajonik Sabha established in April 1870stimulated political life in the western Presidency.In Jan 1885 Bombay Presidency Association was established. Accordingly within a few months Poona Sarvojanik Sabha, the Indian association, and Madras Mahajana Sabha decided to send three delegates  -- N.G.Chandavarkar, Manmohan Ghosh, and S. Ramaswami Mudaliar  to England.

The second National Conference was held in Calcutta in Dec 1885. This time it was convened by the three leading organisation of Calcutta- The British India, The Indian Association and the Central Mahomedan association.

Simultaneously, Indian national congress met in Bombay for the first time. But since the two organisations had simmilar demands and programmes the leaders of the second National conference decided with a true patriotic and broad Nationaist outlook to merge their organisation with the Congress. This happened when the Congress met in Calcutta in dec. 1886.