Karnataka government may invite Barack Obama for Congress session’s centenary

Discussions are underway in the Karnataka government to invite former US President Barack Obama to the centenary event of the Belgaum Congress session, which started under the presidency of Mahatma Gandhi in 1924, state Minister HK Patil said on Wednesday.
The Karnataka Minister of Law said that during the winter session of the state legislature to be held at the Suvarna Soudha (legislature building) in Belgaum in December, there was a discussion to invite Obama, who called Mahatma Gandhi the leader of the world, for a joint session.
A special program was announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Budget 2024-25 to celebrate the centenary of the 1924 Congress session in Belgaum.
The Chief Minister himself will write a letter to Barack Obama and request him to come, HK Patil said while presiding over the first meeting of the Centenary Committee on Wednesday.
A National Congress session was held on December 26-27, 1924 at Belgaum under the presidency of Mahatma Gandhi.
Patil went on to add that there are plans to organise a photo exhibition, a one-year exhibition of objects, installation of a memorial pillar and other various programs to restore its memory.
Rural development and swaraj activities close to Gandhiji will be coordinated with the concerned departments, he added. “The Karnataka Gandhi Memorial Fund and experts on Gandhian issues will be consulted to organise meaningful and constructive programs”, he said.
Barack Obama served as US President for two consecutive terms from 2008 to 2016.