Answer: Option A
The Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, with the primary objective of promoting the interests of the Indian people under British colonial rule. However, the early leaders of the Congress, including A.O. Hume, recognized that the British government was unlikely to grant significant political concessions to the Indian people, and that any attempt to push for such concessions would likely result in repression by the colonial authorities.
In this context, A.O. Hume proposed the concept of the Congress being a "safety valve" for the Indian people. The idea was that the Congress would provide a legitimate outlet for Indian grievances and aspirations, and that this would help to prevent the growth of more radical and potentially violent movements that could pose a threat to British rule. Hume believed that the Congress could act as a moderating force, and that it would be easier for the British government to control the Congress than to deal with more radical elements.
It is worth noting that the concept of the Congress as a safety valve was not universally accepted, and many Indian leaders, including the early Congress President W.C. Bannerjee and his nephew Surendranath Bannerjee, were critical of the idea. They argued that the Congress should be more aggressive in pushing for political rights for the Indian people, rather than simply serving as a safety valve.
In conclusion, A.O. Hume, one of the founders of the Indian National Congress, wanted the Congress to be a "safety valve" for Indian grievances under British colonial rule. He believed that this would help to prevent the growth of more radical and potentially violent movements, and make it easier for the British government to control the situation.