Read the passage and answer the questions:
This is how a Hindi newspaper in Gorakhpur reported the atmosphere during his speeches:
At Bhatni, Gandhiji addressed the local public and then the train started for Gorakhpur. There were not less than 15,000 to 20,000 people at Nunkhar, Deoria, Gauri Bazar, Chauri Chaura and Kusmhi (stations)... Mahatmaji was very pleased to witness the scene at Kusmhi, as despite the fact that the station is in the middle of a jungle there were not less than 10,000 people there. Some, overcome with their love were seen to be crying. At Deoria, people wanted to give bhent (donations) to Gandhiji, but he asked them to give these at Gorakhpur. But at Chauri Chaura, one Marwari gentleman managed to hand over something to him. Then there was no stopping. A sheet was spread and currency notes and coins started raining. It was a sight... Outside the Gorakhpur station, the Mahatma was stood on a high carriage and people had a good darshan of him for a couple of minutes.
During the visit many people were seen crying at the sight of Gandhi, because:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → They were able to relate with Gandhi as a leader who dressed like them, lived like them and spoke in their languages.
Option (1) They were suffering with extreme poverty. — Incorrect. The report describes crowds of thousands who came to the stations to see Gandhiji. The people who cried were “overcome with their love” for him; the report does not link their tears to their poverty.
Option (2) The power of the British rule was brutal on them. — Incorrect. The scene is one of joy and devotion: people wanted his darshan and pressed gifts on him. Their tears came from love for Gandhiji, not from complaints against British rule.
Option (3) They had lost their close ones in the First World War. — Incorrect. The war has no place in this report. The crying followed from the people’s love for the leader who had come among them.
Option (4) They were able to relate with Gandhi as a leader who dressed like them, lived like them and spoke in their languages. — Correct. Peasants, workers and artisans venerated Gandhiji as their “Mahatma”. They appreciated the fact that he dressed like them, lived like them, and spoke their language. Unlike other leaders he did not stand apart from the common folk, but empathised and even identified with them. So some in the crowd, overcome with love, were seen to be crying.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.2 A people’s leader … They appreciated the fact that he dressed like them, lived like them, and spoke their language. Unlike other leaders he did not stand apart from the common folk, but empathised and even identified with them.… 2.2 A people’s leader … This is how a Hindi newspaper in Gorakhpur reported the atmosphere during his speeches: At Bhatni Gandhiji addressed the local public and then the train started for Gorakhpur. There were not less than 15,000 to 20,000 people at Nunkhar, Deoria, Gauri Bazar, Chauri Chaura and Kusmhi (stations) … Mahatmaji was very pleased to witness the scene at Kusmhi, as despite the fact that the station is in the middle of a jungle there were not less than 10,000 people here. Some, overcome with their love, were seen to be crying. At Deoria people wanted to give bhent (donations) to Gandhiji, but he asked them to give these at Gorakhpur. But at Chauri Chaura one Marwari gentleman managed to hand over something to him. Then there was no stopping. A sheet was spread and currency notes and coins started raining. It was a sight … Outside the Gorakhpur station the Mahatma was stood on a high carriage and people had a good darshan of him for a couple of minutes.” |