Freedom Movement in Karnataka Part-2
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The people of Karnataka whole-heartedly plunged into the freedom struggle of India. Persistence to obtain freedom from the British increasingly grew in those days among every Indian. Insurgency in Karnataka was turning pale at the time of 1858. Kannadigas showed great courage, ventures, sacrifices, and self-esteem in these rebels. In 1919, Hindus and Muslims celebrated Khilafath day by distributing Pamphlets. Habibullah Khan campaigned for the Khilaafath movement across the Kaarwaar district. Karnataka state congress committee was established in the year 1920. The annual session of the Indian national congress was held in 1924 in the Belagaun district under the chairmanship of Mahatma Gandhi.
Huilgol Narayana Rao was a freedom fighter who composed the song ‘Udayavagali Namma Cheluva Kannada’ which awakens the spirit of Kannadigas. Ankola was the major center for Karnataka for salt satyagraha. Gowramma, Subbamma, Kaaveramma, Duggamma, Bhaageerathamma, and Lakshmamma participated in this. During that time flag hoisting was one of the symbols of protest. It was like showing the red cloth in front of Bull. The British thought that the flag hoisting is disdaining their regime. Brave Kannadigas started singing Vande Maatram on the streets with the tricolor. This attitude provoked the British.
‘Vidhuraashwattha’ is located in Gouribidanur in the Kolar district. Congress had taken the decision to campaign at the time of the livestock fair. Freedom fighters' meeting took place and they hoisted the national flag on April 23rd in 1938 under the leadership of T. Raamachaar, The president of the Kolar district of congress committee but there was a prohibition for the assembling of people. Around ten thousand workers participated in satyagraha. They distributed the pamphlets. Protestors provoked the police force by hoisting the flag again. Police started arresting protestors. They started Lathi Charge and fired 92 rounds. Around 35 people were killed. Many were injured. Gandhi ji called this tragedy the Jaaliya waala baagh Massaccre of Karnataka. It is also called the Vidhuraashwattha Tragedy.
The first session of the Mysore Congress was held at shivpoora of Mandya district. Sahukaar Channayya was the welcome committee president. The sixty-feet tall flag mast was decorated with khaadi cloth. In the history of Mysore province, The Shivapore congress session is indeed a milestone. Independence horn had spread everywhere in India and Karnataka also contributed immensely to the great horn.