The Congress Working Committee (CWC) convened for its extended session dubbed ‘Nava Satyagraha Baithak’ on Thursday, marking the 100th anniversary of the historic 1924 Belgaum session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi. The meeting, held in Belagavi, Karnataka, culminated with several resolutions aimed at revitalizing the party’s commitment to Gandhian principles and addressing contemporary political challenges.
One of the main highlights of the CWC meeting was the launch of the nationwide movement "Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan", intended to span from January 2025 to Republic Day, which will include public outreach initiatives known as the "Samvidhan Bachao Rashtriya Padayatra" (Save the Constitution march). Although intended to commence with a rally on the first day, the event was called off due to the recent passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
CWC communication head Jairam Ramesh articulated the party's five key decisions aimed at organizational strengthening, with actions planned to take place at the block, mandal, and district levels. Ramesh emphasized the need for significant reforms within the party to maintain momentum and engagement among its workers.
The meeting observed participation from approximately 132 CWC members, including prominent leaders such as AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. They jointly reiterated their commitment to defend the Indian Constitution and vowed to address the alleged denigration of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Ramesh stated, "The Union Home Minister’s alleged comments about Ambedkar exemplify the long-standing efforts by the RSS-BJP to compromise the Constitution," leading the CWC to demand Shah's resignation and apologize to the nation.
The Congress reaffirmed its devotion to protecting Gandhi’s legacy, with Sonia Gandhi's virtual address denouncing the political environment undermining these historic ideals. She accused the current ruling party of diminishing the contributions and values embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, asserting the importance of galvanizing party members to confront these challenges head-on.
Rahul Gandhi also made strong recommendations during the meeting, advocating for greater engagement with grassroots workers and highlighting discrepancies observed during the recent Maharashtra elections. His plea for bloc-level engagement reflects the Congress's strategy to rebuild its organizational structure and re-establish connections with the electorate.
During the second day of the meeting, discussions ranged from the demand for a caste census to criticisms of the perceived attacks on religious minorities and the treatment of the judiciary, media, and democratic institutions under current governance. The CWC acknowledged the systematic attacks on Gandhi's legacy, urging party members to unite and inspire grassroots movements across the nation.
One contentious moment arose surrounding allegations of disrespecting the Indian sovereignty through the depiction of the Indian map on Congress promotional materials for the CWC meeting, prompting swift criticism from BJP leaders. Congress officials, on the other hand, disavowed responsibility for the visuals, maintaining they were not official party representations.
Overall, the Belagavi CWC meeting set forth ambitious plans for the Congress party leading to 2025, pledging to forge stronger connections with grassroots supporters and upholding the valuable teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. The CWC's resolutions signal the party’s commitment to both its historical legacy and current relevance within India’s shifting political milieu.
