Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I) : The first village to come under Gramdan was Mangroth in Hamirpur district of U.P
Statement (II) : The Gramdan movement was the second post independence movement that sought to bring social transformation through government legislation.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are incorrect.
• C. Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.
• D. Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.

Hint:

- Pochampally (Telangana) is famous as the birthplace of the Bhoodan movement (1951).
- Mangroth (U.P.) is the birthplace of the Gramdan movement (1952).
- These movements were voluntary, not legislative.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Bhoodan (Land Gift) and Gramdan (Village Gift) movements were voluntary land reform initiatives started in post-independence India by Acharya Vinoba Bhave, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the historical context of both statements:
- Statement (I):
The Gramdan movement, which began as an extension of Bhoodan, involved entire villages voluntarily putting their land under communal ownership.
In 1952, the village of Mangroth in Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh became the first village where all landowners donated their land, establishing the first Gramdan village.
Therefore, Statement (I) is correct.
- Statement (II):
The Gramdan and Bhoodan movements were strictly voluntary, non-governmental, and spiritual movements based on moral persuasion, compassion, and voluntary sacrifice (Sarvodaya philosophy).
They did not rely on government legislation or state coercion to enforce land transfers, though state governments later enacted laws to facilitate the registration of donated lands.
Therefore, Statement (II) is incorrect.
Statement (I) is correct but Statement (II) is incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (C).