State the significance of Gandhiji’s speech at Benaras Hindu University.
The first important public appearance of Gandhiji was at the opening of the Banaras Hindu University in February 1916. Before this, Indian National Movement was confined only to the rich or elite class. But through his speech over here, Gandhiji advocated making a national movement a mass movement. He said that the establishment of Banaras Hindu University was certainly the most gorgeous show. But he showed his worry about the presence of rich bedecked noblemen and the absence of millions of poor Indians.Taking percepts into Practice: In the same year, in December, Gandhiji got the chance to bring his precepts into practice. This year, Congress’s annual session was held at Lucknow. Here, one peasant of Champaran told him about the exploitation of Indigo planters by the Britishers. So, most parts of 1917 were spent by Gandhiji in helping the peasants of Champaran. Next year, Gandhiji remained busy in two campaigns in Gujarat. First of all, he demanded better working conditions for workers of Ahmedabad’s mill. After that, he joined peasants in Kheda in asking the state for the remission of taxes due to the failure of their harvest.
