“Mahatma Gandhi's Legacy Is Under Threat From Those In Power In Delhi”: Sonia Gandhi
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has expressed regret over her inability to attend the Extended Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Belagavi, citing health reasons. Despite her absence, Gandhi shared a powerful written message, addressing the gathering held to mark the centenary of the historic 39th session of the Indian National Congress chaired by Mahatma Gandhi in 1924.
In her letter, Sonia Gandhi described the 1924 session as a “transformational milestone” for the Congress and India’s independence movement. “Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership at the Belgaum session was a turning point for our party and our nation. It moulded the course of the freedom struggle and continues to inspire us even today,” she wrote.
Highlighting the challenges faced by Gandhian ideals in contemporary India, Gandhi stated, “His legacy is under threat from those in power in New Delhi and the ideologies and institutions that have nurtured them. These organisations opposed Mahatma Gandhi, created a toxic atmosphere leading to his assassination, and even glorify his killers.”
She also pointed out the ongoing assault on Gandhian institutions nationwide, stressing the urgency of countering these forces. Referring to the meeting as the *Nava Satyagraha Baithak* (New Satyagraha Meeting), Gandhi called for a renewed commitment to safeguarding Gandhian values. “It is now our sacred duty to confront these forces with all the might at our command and with uncompromising determination,” she declared.
Sonia Gandhi emphasised the need for organisational strength to address the challenges ahead. “Our party, with its glorious history, has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience. Let us move forward with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose,” she urged.
The centenary celebration of the 1924 Belgaum Congress session, held in Belagavi (formerly Belgaum), commenced on December 26 and concludes on December 27. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders attended the event, with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra representing the Gandhi family in Sonia Gandhi’s absence.
Sonia Gandhi concluded her message with warm wishes for the party’s continued efforts in 2025 and beyond, reaffirming the Congress’s commitment to its foundational values.
