Despite the potential of ‘Bhoodan’ and ‘Gramdan’ movements, it has remained underutilized. Discuss, also elaborate its relevance in contemporary times.

‘Bhoodan’ was a voluntary land redistributive movement launched by Vinoba Bhave after independence. Its essential features are as follows:

• Zamindars & Land owners to donate ~1/5^th of their land.
• Based on principle of trusteeship of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Drew upon heritage of National movement.

It gathered pace and Bhoodan Act was passed. Jayaprakash Narayan quit active politics to join this movement.

‘Gramdan’ was an expanded version of ‘Bhoodan’, wherein entire village was donated & thus collectively owned.

Challenges:

• Most of the land given was not good and was unfit for cultivation.
• At many places the movement was not successful as change of heart didn’t take place.
• Mostly contained in few areas only.
• Most beneficiary farmers were so poor that they couldn’t use the land for cultivation as initial capital was not available.
• Movement was self-contained and didn’t use much machinery.
• Most of the land collected was not distributed due to delays.

Contemporary relevance:

• While both movements fizzled out by 1960’s. They were in lines with article 39(b)/(c) of the DPSP of constitution wherein state is expected to reduce inequalities.

As inequalities are on the rise in India, such movements if implemented properly, are still relevant in contemporary times.