Belagavi Session of the Indian National Congress (1924 Centenary Commemoration (2024):

GS 1 – Modern Indian history 

• • The Indian National Congress (INC) is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the historic Belagavi Session.
  • Planned activities include a two-day Congress Working Committee (CWC) extended session and a public rally titled ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan’.

Overview of the Belagavi Session (December 26–27, 1924):

• 39th Session of INC:
  • Held in Belagavi (then Belgaum) in present-day Karnataka during a period of intense political activity.
  • Marked by growing momentum in India’s freedom struggle.
• Presidency:
  • Presided over by Mahatma Gandhi, the only time he served as INC president.

Key Participants:

• Included prominent leaders such as:
  • Jawaharlal Nehru
  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
  • Sarojini Naidu
  • Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Shaukat Ali of the Khilafat Movement
  • Several senior Congress leaders from across India.

Key Decisions and Outcomes:

1. Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience:
   • Gandhi reaffirmed the effectiveness of non-violent tools like non-cooperation and civil disobedience in resisting British rule.
   • These principles laid the foundation for future movements, such as the Salt March and the Quit India Movement.
2. Promotion of Khadi:
   • Emphasized the use of Khadi (hand-spun cloth) as a symbol of self-reliance and economic resistance.
   • Aimed to revive indigenous industries and reduce dependency on British goods.
3. Communal Harmony:
   • Gandhi stressed the importance of unity and harmony among diverse religious and ethnic groups.
   • Aimed to counteract divisive colonial policies.
4. Cultural Expression:
   • Performance by vocalist Veene Seshanna of the song ‘Udayavagali Namma Chaluva Kannada Nadu’ highlighted the role of cultural elements in mobilizing people.

Significance of the Session:

• Gandhi’s Leadership:
  • Demonstrated his dedication to non-violence, communal harmony, and self-rule (Swaraj).
  • His strategies became the cornerstone of the freedom movement.
• Impact on Freedom Movement:
  • Strengthened peasant consciousness and promoted the use of Khadi and village industries, particularly in Karnataka.
  • Increased peasant participation in Congress initiatives.
• Unity and Inclusivity:
  • Brought together leaders from across the country, symbolizing collective resolve to achieve independence.
• Cultural and Social Impact:
  • Played a vital role in Karnataka’s unification movement, showcasing how cultural expressions supported the broader freedom struggle.