Gadag(Karnataka): The Karnataka government has extended an invitation to former U.S. President Barack Obama to attend a special joint Assembly session celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1924 Congress session led by Mahatma Gandhi in Belagavi.
This historic session marked the beginning of Gandhi's freedom movement against British rule in India.
Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil announced the invitation on Monday in Gadag, stating that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has sent a formal letter to Obama.
“We are planning to hold a joint Assembly session at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) meeting 100 years ago,” said Minister Patil, who also chairs the centenary celebration committee.
“We will wait for Barack Obama to confirm before setting a date for the session. We invited him because he is a prominent leader and admirer of Gandhi, who believes Gandhi is a global figure, not just an Indian one,” he added.
The event will also include building memorials at 40 locations in Karnataka where Gandhi visited, and a "Rath Yatra" will take place in Belagavi on December 26 and 27. The government plans to hold conventions focused on youth, women, and community unity as part of the celebrations.
Minister Patil highlighted the significance of the AICC meeting chaired by Gandhi, where he called for independence and inspired many to join the freedom struggle. The centenary celebration will continue until October 2 of next year, promoting Gandhi’s principles and ideals among the youth.
With PTI inputs