Read the passage about Tryst with Destiny carefully and select the answer that best reflects Nehru point of view on communalism.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: Nehru believed that Communalism would be dangerous for India.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:

This question focuses on Nehru attitude towards communalism as expressed in the passage. Communalism here refers to divisions and hostility between religious or community groups. The question is a test of your ability to understand value judgements and warnings given in a speech, not just factual statements.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The passage quotes Nehru saying that we cannot encourage communalism or narrow mindedness.
  • He adds that no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action.
  • Four options suggest different interpretations: harmless, positive, dangerous, or making a nation great.
  • We assume communalism is mentioned as something that affects the greatness of a nation.


Concept / Approach:

The phrase we cannot encourage communalism is a clear negative statement. When someone says we cannot encourage something, it is because that thing is considered harmful or dangerous. Nehru links communalism with narrow thought and action and states that such narrowness prevents a nation from being great. Therefore his point of view must be that communalism is an obstacle, not a strength or a neutral feature.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Step 1: Focus on the key lines: We cannot encourage communalism or narrow mindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action. Step 2: Understand that this means communalism and narrow mindedness are negative qualities that must be avoided. Step 3: Compare this with option C, which says communalism would be dangerous for India. This matches the idea that it prevents greatness and harms national unity. Step 4: Option A, which claims that communalism would not be a problem, directly contradicts the warning in the passage. Step 5: Option B, which describes communalism as a positive force, also contradicts the tone and content. Step 6: Option D implies that communalism leads to greatness, which is exactly the opposite of what Nehru says.


Verification / Alternative check:

Examine how the passage connects communalism with the broader goals of freedom and equality. Nehru speaks of ending poverty, ignorance, and inequality of opportunity, and then warns against communalism. This shows that communalism stands in the way of creating a just and united society. Therefore, the only option that aligns with the passage is that communalism is dangerous or harmful.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Option A is wrong because saying we cannot encourage something clearly treats it as a problem, not as something neutral.

Option B is wrong because nothing in the passage describes communalism as a positive or constructive force.

Option D is wrong because Nehru states that no nation can be great whose people are narrow, which refutes the idea that communalism makes a nation great.


Common Pitfalls:

Some students misinterpret cannot encourage as a weak or neutral phrase. In formal speeches, such expressions are strong warnings. Another pitfall is failing to connect the sentence about communalism with the later sentence about national greatness. When reading, always link such statements to form the speaker larger argument.


Final Answer:

Nehru point of view is that Communalism would be dangerous for India and would prevent the nation from achieving true greatness.

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