What is not true about the Prajamandala movement in Odisha?

Answer & Explanation

Correct answer: (C) It started with the murder of Major Bezelgate, the Political Agent in Ranapur. or (D) A State Enquiry Committee was constituted by the Government under the chairmanship of Harekrushna Mahatab in 1937 to report on the condition of people in Gadjat states. (OPSC accepted more than one option)

• The Prajamandala movement wasindeed a people’s movementagainst the oppressive taxes, forced labour (begar), and ill-treatment meted out to the subject population by the feudatory chiefs of the Gadjat (princely) states of Odisha.
• Sarangadhara Das, Harekrushna Mahatab, Pabitra Mohan Pradhan, and Nabakrushna Choudhury were all prominent leaders who played important roles in organising and leading the Prajamandala movement across various Gadjat states.
• The Prajamandala movementdid not start with the murderof a Political Agent. The movement originated from the people’s grievances against oppressive feudatory chiefs. While there were violent incidents during the course of the movement — notably in Nilagiri, Dhenkanal, and Ranapur — the characterisation of the movement as having started with the murder of a Political Agent is factually incorrect.
• While Harekrushna Mahatab was indeed associated with a State Enquiry Committee regarding Gadjat states, the year 1937 and the specific designation of "chairmanship" may not be precisely accurate as stated.