A Bengal police report of the second half of March 1930 finds people watching closely what the government will do about Gandhi. What did it expect if action were taken against Gandhi?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → A spark would be set to much inflammable material in Bengal
Option (1) A spark would be set to much inflammable material in Bengal — Correct. The officials feared that any action against Gandhi would act like a spark, setting off the anger already building up in Bengal.
Option (2) Schools and colleges in Bengal would be deserted in protest — Incorrect. Deserted schools and colleges belong to the Central Provinces and Berar report, where they marked the start of Gandhi's march on 12 March.
Option (3) Volunteers would start illicit salt making in Midnapore — Incorrect. Salt making in Midnapore appears in a later Bengal report, for April, as work already under way in the mufassal.
Option (4) The extremist papers would stop reporting his speeches — Incorrect. The extremist papers were reporting his doings and speeches at great length. The forecast in the report concerned unrest in Bengal if Gandhi were acted against.