Congress’s 2024 Belagavi Session A Look Back at Gandhi's 1924 Leadership

1. The Indian National Congress (INC) is holding a special event in Belagavi (formerly Belgaum), Karnataka on December 26-27, 2024, to mark 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi presided over a key Congress session in 1924.
2. This event is important not only for remembering Gandhi's leadership but also for planning the Congress party’s future direction.

What Was the 1924 Congress Session About?

1. Context:

   1. Mahatma Gandhi had just been released from prison in February 1924 after a surgery. He was concerned about the lack of unity between Hindus and Muslims and internal problems within the Congress.
   2. Gandhi undertook a 21-day fast (from September 18 to October 8, 1924) to encourage unity and address the divide.

2. Main Issues Addressed by Gandhi:

   1. Hindu-Muslim Unity: Gandhi believed unity between Hindus and Muslims was essential for the country’s progress.
   2. Fighting Internal Division: Gandhi wanted to stop the infighting within Congress.
   3. Non-Violence and Self-Rule: He promoted non-violence and self-rule (swaraj) as the keys to India’s freedom.

Why Is the 1924 Session So Important?

1. First Time Gandhi Led Congress:

   1. Gandhi presided over the Congress Working Committee (CWC) for the first time in 1924. This was the only time he was the Congress president.

2. Gandhi’s Key Ideas:

   1. Gandhi explained his non-violence philosophy, emphasizing that non-violent actions are more powerful than violence.
   2. He also talked about the importance of unity and removing untouchability to achieve swaraj (self-rule).
   3. He suggested that the court of appeals be moved from London to Delhi, and the language of government should be Hindustani.
   4. Gandhi also encouraged people to spinning and weaving khadi as part of their contribution to the freedom struggle.

3. Impact on the Freedom Struggle:

   1. Gandhi’s focus on khadi helped spread it across the country, especially in villages.
   2. The session led to greater participation of peasants in Congress activities, strengthening their role in the freedom movement.

What Will Happen in the 2024 Belagavi Session?

1. Revisiting Gandhi’s Ideals:

   1. Congress will revisit Gandhi’s values like unity, non-violence, and self-rule to help revive the party.
   2. This event will remind people of the Congress’s role in the freedom struggle and its responsibility to carry forward Gandhi's legacy.

2. Activities Planned:

   1. The session will start at Veera Soudha, the same place where the 1924 session was held.
   2. A statue of Mahatma Gandhi will be unveiled at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha (Karnataka’s state assembly).
   3. Rally: A rally called "Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan" will be held, where leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah (Karnataka CM), and D K Shivakumar (State Congress President) will speak.

What Did Gandhi Talk About in 1924, and Why Does It Matter Today?

1. Non-Violence and Satyagraha:

   1. Gandhi’s belief in non-violence and satyagraha (truth force) was central to his message. He said non-violent actions are more powerful than violent ones.
   2. These ideas can inspire Congress today to continue fighting for justice through peaceful means.

2. Hindu-Muslim Unity:

   1. Gandhi’s emphasis on unity between Hindus and Muslims remains relevant today, as communal tensions are still a major issue in India.

3. Removing Untouchability:

   1. Gandhi’s fight against untouchability resonates with Congress’s ongoing focus on Dalit rights and the empowerment of oppressed groups.

Indian National Congress: History of Past Presidents (1885–2017)

Early Years & Founding (1885–1900)

1. 1885, 1892: W.C. Bonnerjee - First President, also President of Allahabad session in 1892.
2. 1886, 1893: Dadabhai Naoroji - Led the Calcutta session in 1886 and Lahore session in 1893. Known as the "Grand Old Man of India."
3. 1887: Badruddin Tyabji - First Muslim President, Madras conference.
4. 1888: George Yule - First British President, Allahabad session.
5. 1889, 1910: William Wedderburn - President in 1889 (Bombay) and 1910 (Allahabad).
6. 1890: Pherozeshah Mehta - Calcutta session.
7. 1891: Anandacharlu - Nagpur session.
8. 1894: Alfred Webb - Madras conference.

Early 20th Century & Rise of Nationalism (1900–1947)

1. 1895, 1902: Surendranath Banerjee - Poona session in 1895 and Ahmedabad conference in 1902.
2. 1896: Rahimtulla M Sayani - Calcutta session, second Muslim president.
3. 1900: Sir Narayan Ganesh Chandavarkar - Lahore session.
4. 1901: Dinshaw Edulji Wacha - Calcutta session.
5. 1905: Gopal Krishna Gokhale - Benares conference; leader of the moderate group.
6. 1907, 1908: Rashbihari Ghosh - Surat (1907) and Madras (1908) sessions.
7. 1911: Bishan Narayan Dar - Calcutta session.
8. 1913: Nawab Syed Muhammad Bahadur - Karachi session.
9. 1917: Annie Besant - First female president, Calcutta session.
10. 1919: Motilal Nehru - Amritsar session; pivotal in the debate on dominion status vs. complete independence.

Post-Independence Leaders (1947–1991)

1. 1947: J.B. Kripalani - Meerut session during independence transition.
2. 1948–1949: Pattabhi Sitaramayya - Jaipur conference.
3. 1955-1959: U. N. Dhebar - Oversaw multiple sessions.
4. 1959, 1978-1984: Indira Gandhi - First became president in 1959 and again after the 1978 split; became one of the most powerful and controversial leaders of India.
5. 1964-1967: K. Kamaraj - Regarded as a kingmaker, pivotal in the rise of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
6. 1969: S. Nijalingappa - A key leader during the party split.
7. 1971: Jagjivan Ram - Champion of social justice and leader of backward classes.
8. 1985-1991: Rajiv Gandhi - Youngest Prime Minister, faced challenges like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and Bofors scandal.

1990s to 2017: Modern Congress

1. 1992-1996: P. V. Narsimha Rao - Led Congress during liberalization and economic reforms.
2. 1996-1998: Sitaram Kesri - Presided during a turbulent phase with internal party strife.
3. 1998-2017: Sonia Gandhi - The longest-serving president, leading the party to two general election victories (2004, 2009). She also faced defeat against the BJP and a difficult period after her husband’s assassination.

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