Bhoodan Yajna

The Bhoodan Yajna, or "Land-Gift Movement," was initiated by Vinoba Bhave, a prominent Indian social reformer and disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. This nonviolent movement aimed to address rural poverty by redistributing privately owned land to landless individuals, particularly Dalits. Bhave conceived the idea in 1951 while touring villages, inspired by a landholder's offer of acreage for the landless. He traveled extensively, appealing for land donations and linking the act of giving to Gandhi's principle of ahimsa (nonviolence). Bhave believed land reform should stem from a change of heart rather than government coercion. While critics worried about land fragmentation, Bhave prioritized unity of spirit over agricultural efficiency. Later, he promoted gramdan, where villagers pooled land for cooperative management.12