Consider the following statements regarding the Nivartana (Abstention) Movement in Travancore during the 1930s: 1. It was a united political agitation launched by Christian, Muslim, and Ezhava communities protesting against inadequate representation in the legislature under the constitutional reforms of Travancore. 2. The movement successfully boycotted the state legislature elections to paralyze the administration and force the Dewan to concede universal adult franchise immediately.

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as the Nivartana Movement (Abstention Movement) united major marginalized communities—Christians, Muslims, and Ezhavas (known collectively as Samyuktha Rashtriya Sabha)—against the restricted franchise and skewed communal representation introduced by the Travancore government. Statement 2 is incorrect because while they abstained from participating in the legislature under the flawed Act of 1932, universal adult franchise was not immediately granted, though the agitation ultimately forced structural concessions regarding public service representation.