Centenary of the 1924 Belgaum Congress Session: Gandhi’s Legacy of Non-Violence, Swaraj, and Unity

The 1924 Belgaum Congress session is historically significant as it was the only session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. During this session, Gandhi articulated his vision of non-violence, communal harmony, and self-rule (swaraj), which became foundational principles of India’s freedom movement.

The Congress is organizing a two-day event in Belagavi, Karnataka, on December 26-27, 2024, which includes an extended session of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and a public rally to honor the session’s centenary.

Gandhi addressed the lack of Hindu-Muslim unity, factionalism within the Congress, and the need for social reforms like the eradication of untouchability.

Gandhi was imprisoned in 1922 for sedition due to his articles in Young India criticizing British policies during the Non-Cooperation Movement. He was sentenced to six years but released early in 1924 due to health concerns.

The session was attended by prominent leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu, and Khilafat Movement leaders Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Shaukat Ali.

Gandhi’s messages focused on non-violence as a strategy for independence, Hindu-Muslim unity, the abolition of untouchability, self-reliance through khadi, and administrative reforms for achieving swaraj.

Gandhi proposed moving the final court of appeals from London to Delhi and adopting Hindustani as the official language in provincial governments and courts.

Gandhi promoted khadi as a symbol of self-reliance and grassroots empowerment. He encouraged people to adopt spinning and weaving as a means of economic independence and resistance against British exploitation.

The session increased political awareness among peasants, boosted the adoption of khadi and village industries, and reinforced Congress’s commitment to non-violent resistance and social reforms.

Gandhi believed that Hindu-Muslim unity was essential for achieving swaraj. He argued that independence could not be realized without communal harmony and mutual respect among all communities.

Gandhi emphasized that the removal of untouchability was crucial for self-rule. He called on Hindus to ensure equality and liberty for suppressed classes, highlighting the importance of social justice in the freedom struggle.

Gandhi undertook the fast to promote Hindu-Muslim unity and to address communal tensions. It underscored his commitment to non-violence and moral leadership in resolving societal issues.

The session helped foster peasant consciousness, leading to their greater involvement in Congress-led initiatives and the spread of khadi and village industries.

The session emphasized the importance of self-reliance through khadi and village industries, which gained momentum in Karnataka and other regions as a result.

The movement was suspended in 1922 after the Chauri Chaura incident, where violence erupted. Gandhi defended this decision during the session, stating that non-violence was a more effective force for change and a necessary principle for the freedom movement.

The session reinforced the principles of non-violence, self-reliance, and communal harmony, which became central to India’s freedom struggle. It also highlighted the role of social reforms in achieving true independence.