International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.2, Issue-2(2), April-June, 2015
The historic Belgaum Congress session of 1924 and its reflections on peasant movement in Karnataka Dr.Puttaraju. K. Lecturer in History, P. G. Dept. of History, Sir M. V. P.G. Center, University of Mysore, Toobinakere, Mandya District, Karnataka
Introduction: scene of Mahatma Gandhi’s
th historic visit in 1924. The 39 Indian National Congress Session was held in Historical Background 35 Belgaum . It was a historic place On February 5th 1924, Gandhiji since the dawn of history. The was released from prison following Congress ideals were first an operation for appendicitis. The propagated by A. O Hume here. Hindu-Muslim cooperation for He visited Belgaum to propagate which he had striven so zealously Congress ideals in 1893. It was a had nearly vanished. With the home for both the factions of the abolition of Khilafat in Turkey, no Congress Bal gangadhara Tilak encouragement was left for visited it in 1906.This place was a preponderance of the Indian International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.2, Issue-2(2), April-June, 2015
Muslims to collaborate & work Gandhi used to refer to Khadi as together with the Hindus. The "The livery of freedom"38. Muslim League eclipsed during Historic session of 1924 the Khilafat agitation found a breathing space once again. Thus The Belgaum Congress session with the passage of time the was a momentous event and the incongruity between the Hindus enthusiasm of the people of and the Muslims began to appear Karnataka, as it was the only and communal riots occurred at Congress session in which regular intervals. To compensate Gandhiji presided. for the sins of his erring 1. The venue where the session countrymen, Gandhiji undertook a was held was named fast of 21 days from September 18 Vijayanagara and the entrance to October 8. This was his gate was designed like desperate effort to solve the the Gopura of the Virupaksha communal tangle. The Council temple at Hampi. entry programme of the Swarajists was not welcomed by Gandhiji. 2. A flag railway station was But the circumstances as they constructed near the site of were, it was impossible for the Congress Session, which anybody to bring back the masses came to be called ‘Vijaya to an active non-cooperation and Nagara’, after the mighty therefore as sort of compromise empire of Hampi and the was reached36. The Congressmen entrance gate, with an were given freedom to decide for impressive height of 70 feet themselves either to work for the was designed as a ‘gopura’ Council entry or to carry on the from the same place constructive work outside the 3. The huts for visitors and the Council 37. It was in this delegates were built with background that Gandhiji presided Khadi and had bamboo roofs. over the Belgaum session in 4. Mahatma Gandhi used to December 1924 with the objective refer to Khadi as "The livery of restoring unity between of freedom". Congressmen who were for Council entry and those against it 5. Gandhiji was taken in a and between Hindus and Muslims. procession to the Congress Removal of untouchability and camp. All efforts were made to spread of Chakra and Khadi were represent the culture and the other objectives. (Mahatma International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.2, Issue-2(2), April-June, 2015
history of Karnataka at the Kannadanadu‘ at the session. session41. 6. For the supply of water round In his presidential address the clock a tank, Pampa Gandhiji spoke on the necessity Sarovara was constructed39. of Hindu-Muslim unity, boycott 7. To feed the participants, a of foreign goods, encouraging huge kitchen was set up and spinning and weaving of Khadi, thousands of lanterns and working towards eradication of petromax light were brought untouchability and other issues. from Bombay for lighting "I am convinced that swaraj purpose. cannot come so long as the tens of millions of our brothers and 8. Volunteers of Hindustan Seva sisters do not take to the Dal, trained by N.S.Hardikar charkha, do not spin, do not were looking after the make khadi and wear it.42A arrangements and attending number of session were also held the comforts of the visitors. at Belgaum on the occasion like 9. When Gandhiji40 along with the the Ali brothers, Sarojini 1. All-India Khilafat Naidu, Jawaharlal Nehru, Conference, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and
a host of leaders arrived at 2. All-India Hindu Mahasabha Belgaum, they were welcomed Conference, by a mammoth crowd led by 3. All-India Non-Brahmin Gangadharrao Deshpande, the Conference, Chairman of the Reception 4. All-India Social Conference Committee. 5. The first Karnataka 10. The Session began with Unification Conference 43 ‘Vande Mataram’ sung by Paluskar. This was followed by two songs in Kannada by a The people of Karnataka region choir. including old Mysore region 11. Great stalwarts of music like reacted positively & confidently to Veene Seshanna gave their the call given by Gandhiji for 44 recital and Huyilagola constructive programmes . Narayana Rao sung the 1. The spread of Khadi and Kannada anthem village industries was taken ‘Udayavagali namma cheluva up all over Karnataka45.There International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.2, Issue-2(2), April-June, 2015
was a sporadic khadi extension of Khadi industries movement in Princely Mysore and other village industries as well46.The enthusiastic sponsored by the Congress49. people undertook setting up of 47 6. The Diwan of Mysore, Albion khadi .The organizations for Banerjee not only permitted Harijan welfare were set up in the Department of Industries many places of the state. to send exhibits to the 2. The lower rungs of society Congress exhibition at were included in the programs Belgaum in 1924, but also and there was a wide gave a donation for the participation in the Congress expenses. lead Movements. 7. It leads to the Setting up of All 3. Between 1922 and 1925 India Spinners Association national leaders like (AISA) / Akhil Bharat C.Rajagopalachari, C.R.Das, Charkha Sangh in 193550. Lala Lajpat Rai, S.Srinivasa Iyengar, Pattabhi Seetharamiah, Jamnadas Conclusion: Mehta, Konda Venkatappiah Thus the Congress session of 1924 and others toured all over can be heralded as a great step in Karnataka and kept the promotion of the peasant 48 national spirit alive . consciousness. Even though there 4. The flame of freedom struggle were some loopholes in the post was also kept alive by a host of Congress Session programs there Congressmen of Karnataka was a widening of the spirit like N.S.Hardikar, Srinivas among peasants of this region who Rao Kaujalgi, Gangadharrao started participating in Congress Deshpande, Kadapa lead Movements. The Salt Raghavendra Rao, Satyagraha held in Sirsi Ankola, R.R.Diwakar, Krishna Rao Siddapura & Mangalore were Mudvedkar and others. projected by the peasantry & promoted by the Indian National
5. The authorities in Princely Congress leaders. The High state of Mysore understood inclusion of peasantry in this the value of spinning and movement was a affirmative weaving Khadi in the scheme indication of the awareness among of rural development and peasantry. often cooperated with the Congress workers in the International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.2, Issue-2(2), April-June, 2015
List of Industries opened during Swadeshi Movement Name of the industry Place Paper processing Bangalore Tanning Belgaum Match box industry Bangalore Waxing & lac making Bangalore Agarbathi Mysore Brick making Bellary Food processing Hubli Oil tanneries Mangalore Cloth manufacturing Dharwad
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