Q. Which of the following is false about the idea of ‘trusteeship’?
(a) It was formulated by Gandhiji.
(b) It implied that the wealthy held their riches on behalf of and for the service of the underprivileged.
(c) It allowed business classes to become nationalist and yet stand against working-class politics.
(d) It was the official position of the Indian National Congress.
Ans: (d) It was the official position of the Indian National Congress.
Explanation:
The statement that is false about the idea of ‘trusteeship’ is It was the official position of the Indian National Congress.
The idea of ‘trusteeship’ was indeed formulated by Gandhiji, making statement (a) true. Gandhi proposed the concept of trusteeship as part of his philosophy of socioeconomic justice and nonviolent resistance.
Statement (b) is true. Trusteeship implied that the wealthy individuals, who possessed significant resources, held their riches not as personal property but as trustees on behalf of society. According to Gandhi, the wealthy were expected to utilize their wealth and resources for the service and upliftment of the underprivileged.
Statement (c) is also true. The concept of trusteeship allowed the business classes to embrace nationalism and contribute to the freedom struggle while still maintaining their economic interests. It aimed to reconcile the interests of different classes in society and create a more equitable and harmonious social order.
However, statement (d) is false. While the idea of trusteeship had considerable influence and support within the Indian National Congress, it was not the official position of the party. The Indian National Congress did not adopt trusteeship as an official policy or doctrine, although Gandhi’s ideas, including trusteeship, had a significant impact on the party’s philosophy and approach to social and economic issues.
