Question

Whom did Gandhiji send telegram to, in Muzaffarpur?

• A. Rajendra Prasad
• B. Rajkumar Shukla
• C. J. B. Kriplani
• D. Commissioner of Tirthut

Hint:

The Champaran episode (1917) was Mahatma Gandhi's first civil disobedience movement in India. Remember that J.B. Kripalani (who later became a prominent Congress leader) was the professor who received Gandhi at Muzaffarpur station.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

This question refers to Mahatma Gandhi's historic visit to Champaran in 1917, which marked his first major involvement in India’s freedom struggle.

Background:
Rajkumar Shukla, a determined farmer from Champaran, persuaded Gandhiji to visit Bihar and examine the suffering of indigo cultivators under the oppressive tinkathia system.

The Telegram:
Before proceeding to Champaran, Gandhiji decided to stop at Muzaffarpur to gather detailed information about the prevailing conditions. He sent a telegram to Professor J. B. Kripalani of the Arts College in Muzaffarpur, whom he had previously met at Shantiniketan.

The Arrival:
When Gandhiji’s train reached Muzaffarpur at midnight on 15 April 1917, Professor Kripalani was present at the railway station with a group of students to welcome him.
Gandhiji stayed for two days at the residence of Professor Malkani, a government school teacher. This act was considered courageous at the time because government officials were generally hesitant to associate openly with national leaders.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

Rajendra Prasad: He later became closely associated with the Champaran movement but was not the recipient of this telegram.
Rajkumar Shukla: He was the farmer who persistently requested Gandhiji to visit Champaran and accompanied him, but he did not receive the telegram.
Commissioner of Tirhut: Gandhiji later communicated with the Tirhut Commissioner regarding official matters, but this was not through the telegram mentioned in the question.

Final Answer: J. B. Kripalani