100 Years For Belagavi Session of Indian National Congress

Syllabus: GS1/Modern Indian History

Context

• The Indian National Congress (INC) has planned a series of events in Belagavi to mark the 100th anniversary.
• These include a two-day extended session of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and a public rally themed ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’.

About the Belagavi Session of the INC (December 26-27, 1924)

• It was the 39th session of the INC that took place in Belagavi (then Belgaum), Karnataka. It was a period marked by intense political activity and growing momentum for India’s freedom movement.
• It was presided over by Mahatma Gandhi, the only time he served as the Congress president.
• Participants in the 1924 Congress session : The session was attended by several senior Congress leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu, and Khilafat movement leaders Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Shaukat Ali, among others.
• It was a testament to the power of unity, non-violence, and collective action in the face of oppression. 

Key Decisions and Outcomes

• Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience: Mahatma Gandhi reiterated his commitment to non-cooperation and civil disobedience as effective tools against British rule.
  • These principles became the cornerstone of subsequent movements, including the Salt March and Quit India Movement.
• Promotion of Khadi: The session emphasized the importance of promoting Khadi (hand-spun cloth) as a symbol of self-reliance and resistance against British economic policies.
  • This initiative aimed to revive indigenous industries and reduce dependence on British goods.
• Communal Harmony: Gandhi stressed the need for communal harmony and unity among different religious and ethnic groups in India.
  • It was crucial in countering the divisive tactics employed by the colonial administration.

Significance of Belagavi Session of INC

• Gandhi’s Leadership: Mahatma Gandhi’s presidency underscored his commitment to non-violence, communal harmony, and self-rule (Swaraj).
  • Gandhi’s ideas and strategies laid the groundwork for future movements against British colonial rule.
• Impact on the Freedom Movement: The session promoted peasant consciousness, spread khadi, and encouraged village industries, especially in Karnataka. It also led to increased peasant participation in Congress-led initiatives.
• Unity and Inclusivity: The session brought together prominent leaders from various parts of India, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Lala Lajpat Rai, C. Rajagopalachari, Sarojini Naidu, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and many others.
  • It symbolized the unity and collective resolve of Indian leaders to achieve independence.
• Cultural and Social Impact: Noted vocalist Veene Seshanna performed the song ‘Udayavagali Namma Chaluva Kannada Nadu’ which became an anthem for Karnataka’s unification movement.
  • The event highlighted the role of cultural expressions in the freedom struggle.

Source :IE