Gandhiji was invited to the opening of the Banaras Hindu University (1916) because of which of the following reasons?
a) His status within India.
b) His work in South Africa.

Only b.

The correct answer is Option 2 - Only b.

a) His status within India.
b) His work in South Africa. (Answer)

The first major public appearance of Gandhiji was at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in February 1916. He had been invited on account of his work in South Africa, rather than his status within India.

When his turn came to speak, Gandhiji charged the Indian elite with a lack of concern for the labouring poor. The opening of the BHU, he said, was “certainly a most gorgeous show”. But he worried about the contrast between the “richly bedecked noblemen” present and “millions of the poor” Indians who were absent. Gandhiji told the privileged invitees that “there is no salvation for India unless you strip yourself of this jewellery and hold it in trust for your countrymen in India”. “There can be no spirit of selfgovernment about us,” he went on, “if we take away or allow others to take away from the peasants almost the whole of the results of their labour. Our salvation can only come through the farmer. Neither the lawyers, nor the doctors, nor the rich landlords are going to secure it.”