Consider the following statements:

1. Lala Lajpat Rai played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Gurukul schools.

2. The Shuddhi Movement regarded untouchables as an entity outside the Hindus.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Solution

● Statement 1 is incorrect: Post the death of Dayananda Saraswati, Dayanand Anglo Vedic College was established in Lahore in 1886 by Mahatma Hansraj. However, in 1893 it divided into two over the difference of opinion regarding the curriculum of the college. The two sections were: The College party led by Lala Hansraj, Lala Lajpat Rai, Lala Lal Chand advocated for the study of English Literature and western science. They controlled the D.A.V. school and college. The Gurukul party who advocated the study of Sanskrit and Vedic philosophy in these schools. They established Gurukul College at Haridwar (Kangri) and included leaders like Lala Munshi Ram, Guru Datta Vidyarathi, and Swami Shraddhananda. Hence, Lala Lajpat Rai was associated with the D.A.V Schools and Colleges. ● Statement 2 is incorrect: The Shuddhi Movement was launched during the 1920s by the Arya Samajists to prevent communalization in the social life. It aimed at reconverting those who had been converted to Islam and Christianity. They treated the untouchables and those outside the Hindu caste as a part of the Hindu fold.