In 1924, Belgavi hosted the 39th plenary session of the INC. Its significance is marked as it was the only session supervised by Mahatma Gandhi. Surjewala told ANI, “In the history of the country’s independence, 26th December 1924 will always be remembered as a day when the Indian National Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi started a new phase of the freedom struggle to overthrow the British government, to give equal rights to the rich and the poor. Mahatma Gandhi started a new movement of Satyagraha, civil disobedience from this land, against the wealth given to few hands by Britain, England, and the East India Company. After 100 years, once again Congress will unite for a new Satyagraha under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.”
The Satyagraha displayed by Mahatma Gandhi inspired Civil Disobedience and non-cooperation. The movement aimed to uplift communities to stand against injustices and create change without violence. Moreover the Congress MP said to ANI, “The BJP has become a modern-day East India Company, perpetuating inequality and exploiting the vulnerable. The rights of Dalits, Adivasis, backward classes, and the poor are being eroded. The wealth gap has widened, with a staggering 40% of the country’s wealth concentrated in the hands of just 1% of the population. Meanwhile, 62% of the country’s wealth is owned by a mere 2-4% of the people, leaving 70% of the population with less than 5% of the property. This blatant disregard for equality and justice threatens the very fabric of our Constitution and the freedom we fought for”
