Who among the following personalities said, “What I object to is the ‘craze’ for machinery as such. The craze is for what they call labour-saving machinery. Men go on ‘saving labour’ till thousands are without work and thrown to the open streets to die of starvation.”?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Mahatma Gandhi.
The statement was made by Mahatma Gandhi, reflecting his strong critique of indiscriminate industrialisation and mechanisation. Gandhi opposed the blind adoption of machinery, especially when it led to unemployment and social distress. He emphasised human-centred development, advocating for small-scale, village-based industries that provide sustainable livelihoods. According to him, excessive focus on “labour-saving machinery” ignored the welfare of workers, leaving many destitute. His views promoted ethical and socially responsible economic progress, balancing technological advancement with human well-being and rural development.