Karnataka invites Barack Obama to commemorate Gandhi-chaired 1924 Congress session

Gadag, Karnataka: The Karnataka government has extended an invitation to former U.S. President Barack Obama to attend a special Assembly session marking the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Congress session in Belagavi. This prominent event was chaired by Mahatma Gandhi and played a pivotal role in launching the freedom movement against British rule in India.

Official announcement

H.K. Patil, the Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, announced on Monday in Gadag city that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sent a formal letter inviting Obama to the event.

“It has been decided to organise a joint Assembly session to mark the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s chairing of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting. The event will be held at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi,” stated Minister Patil, who also serves as President of the committee for commemorating the centenary of the 1924 Congress session.

“We will wait for confirmation from Barack Obama before setting the date for the joint session. We have invited this prominent leader and follower of Gandhi, who believes that Mahatma Gandhi is a global leader, not just an Indian one,” Minister Patil added.

“This is going to be a meaningful programme. Mahatma Gandhi visited 120 places across Karnataka, and we will build memorials at 40 selected locations. ‘Rath Yatra Jyothis’ will arrive in Belagavi on December 26 and 27 from various districts across the state,” he said.

Community-focused events planned

In addition to the Assembly session, the government plans to organise conventions that will focus on youth, women, and community unity. Minister Patil emphasised the importance of Gandhi's leadership at the 39th All India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting, where he called for freedom and inspired countless individuals to join the struggle.

Importance of the celebration

This event is also meaningful to the people of Gadag district, as the famous Kannada poem “Udayavagali Namma Cheluva Kannadanaadu”, written by Huyilagola Narayana Rao, was sung for the first time at this session by Gangubai Hanagal.

Minister Patil emphasised the need to promote Mahatma Gandhi’s principles and ideals among the youth, saying, “I have been designated as the president of the centenary celebration committee by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The committee will visit Belagavi on Tuesday, November 5, and the centenary celebrations will continue until October 2 of next year,” he concluded.

Agency