In December 2024, the Congress Working Committee held the Nava Satyagraha Baithak in Belagavi, Karnataka, commemorating 100 years since the historic 39th Congress Session of 1924, held on the same dates, December 26-27

Legacy of the 1924 Belgaum Session

• Momentous Event in India’s Freedom Struggle: Chaired by Mahatma Gandhi, it became a defining chapter in the evolution of Indian politics. Not only did it represent a turning point for the Congress, but it also had deep implications for India’s future path to independence.

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• Context of the Belgaum Session: The session occurred during a crucial phase in the Indian freedom movement. Gandhi had returned to India in  January 1915, and by 1924, the nation was grappling with significant political and social turmoil:
• • The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, which galvanized the Indian populace.
  • The Government of India Act, 1919, based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, was enacted by the British Parliament to address India’s growing demand for self-rule.
  • The Non-Cooperation Movement of September 1920, led by Gandhi.
  • It was suspended after the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922, following police firing on protesters and later protesters setting fire in the police station.
    • This move of Gandhi was opposed by a section of the Congress, including Motilal Nehru and Chittaranjan Das.
  • On March 10, 1922, Gandhi was sentenced to six years for sedition because of his articles in Young India.
  • On January 12, 1924, while still in prison, he had surgery for appendicitis in Poona (now Pune).
    • Jawaharlal Nehru wrote in his autobiography, “India was filled with anxiety; we waited in fear. When the crisis (Gandhi’s surgery) passed, people from all over the country began to rush to Poona to see him.”
• Gandhi was released from jail on February 5, 1924, due to his serious health condition. He recovered quickly and returned soon after to continue his fight for freedom.

Political Struggles Within the Congress Party

• Congress in a State of Flux: Until the important Belgaum meeting in September 1923, which took place after a special session in New Delhi and was led by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the Congress was in a state of uncertainty during the early 1920s.
• Gaya Session: At the Congress’s 37th session in Gaya in December 1922, chaired by Chittaranjan Das, Motilal Nehru and Das proposed reforming the party’s ideology and extending the Non-Cooperation Movement into the British Indian legislature.
• Internal Divisions: However, their proposal was rejected by the no-changers faction, led by C. Rajagopalachari and Rajendra Prasad.
• Formation of Swaraj Party: As a result, the pro-changers camp, led by Motilal Nehru and Das, formed the Swaraj Party in January 1923. 
  • The new party contested the state legislature elections that year, winning several seats, including Govind Ballabh Pant’s victory in the United Province (now Uttar Pradesh).

Events Just Before the Belgaum Session, 1924

• Gandhi’s Responsibilities: Upon his release from jail, Gandhi faced two major tasks:
  • Unite the Congress: Gandhi needed to find a way to mediate between the pro-changers and anti-changers factions within the Congress and work towards uniting the party.
  • Address Communal Violence: The year 1924 was marked by widespread communal riots across India, including significant disturbances in Kohat (present-day Pakistan), Delhi, Gulbarga, Nagpur, Lucknow, Amethi, Shahjahanpur, Sambhal, Allahabad and Jabalpur.
• Gandhi’s Fast: Gandhi, deeply disturbed by these events, launched a 21-day fast on 17 September 1924 to protest against the violence. 

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• Juhu Convention: In May 1924, Gandhi engaged in a conversation with the pro-changers, or Swarajists, known as the Juhu Conversation.
  • Place of Discussion: This discussion took place at a cottage in Juhu, Bombay (now Mumbai), where Gandhi was staying at the time. 
  • Results: However, Gandhi’s attempt to negotiate a truce was unsuccessful.
• Formal Pact in Ahmedabad: A formal pact between Gandhi and Motilal Nehru-Das was eventually reached during the Congress party’s meeting in Ahmedabad in June, which was later rectified in Belgaum session.

Significance of the 39th Congress Session in Belgaum

• Gandhi’s Presidentship: Although the Belgaum session was scheduled for December, there was little support for Gandhi to preside over it.
  • Nehru on Gandhi’s Presidentship: In his autobiography, Nehru reflects, “For him (Gandhi) to become the Congress president was something in the nature of an anti-climax, for he had long been the permanent super president.”
• Venue and Preparation: The Congress session was held in Belgaum (then part of the Bombay Presidency) on December 26-27, 1924, and the venue was named Vijayanagara, after the historical Vijayanagara Empire.
  • Khaddar Palace: Special arrangements were made for the event, including the construction of a Vidyaranya Ashram for Gandhi, humorously referred to as the Khaddar Palace by him.
  • Setting of Flag Railway Station: A flag railway station was set up near the venue for the convenience of delegates, and a large well named Pampa Sarovar was excavated to provide water.
• Gandhi’s Presidential Address: In his speech at the session, Gandhi recounted the events that had unfolded within the Congress since 1920.
  • Addressing Communal Violence: He expressed his concern over the rising communal riots in India, particularly the violent incidents in Kohat, which deeply disturbed him.
  • Addressing Other Issues: Gandhi also addressed other significant issues, including the practice of untouchability, which remained a prevalent social problem in India.
• Turning Point for Congress: The Belgaum session marked a significant turning point for the Congress, which had previously been seen as an organization of the elite.
  • During this session, the party made a concerted effort to reach out to the masses. 
• Resolution of Party Conflicts: The most notable achievement of the session was the ratification of the pact between Gandhi and Motilal Nehru-Das, which helped resolve the internal conflicts within the party.
• Swarajists as Congress’s Representatives: Other key decisions included the Congress accepting that the Swarajists in government councils represented the party, while the Swarajists agreed to Gandhi’s condition of wearing khadi to remain members of the party.

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Conclusion

The Belgaum Session of 1924 was not just a pivotal moment in Congress history, but a significant milestone in the broader struggle for Indian independence. It represented a turning point where internal Congress factions were reconciled, and the party solidified its commitment to non-cooperation with the British, social reforms, and unity in the face of growing communal tensions.

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