C. Rajagopalachari: Life and Legacy
Statue Unveiling
- President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a statue of C. Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing Edwin Lutyens' bust.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Rajagopalachari's view of power as a service.
Early Political Involvement
- Born in December 1878 in Tamil Nadu, C. Rajagopalachari, known as Rajaji, was an influential figure in the Indian independence movement.
- Actively participated in the Indian National Congress sessions in 1906 and 1907.
- Joined the Home Rule League in 1916 and organized a unit in Salem.
Association with Mahatma Gandhi
- Supported the Rowlatt Satyagraha in 1919 and led the Non-Cooperation Movement in Tamil Nadu.
- Led the Salt Satyagraha in 1930, facing multiple arrests for his activism.
Rajaji Formula and Quit India Movement
- Disagreed with Gandhi during the Quit India Movement, proposing a Congress–Muslim League understanding.
- Developed the "Rajaji Formula" to address the demand for Pakistan through a plebiscite.
- Communicated his proposal to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who rejected it.
Stance on Hindi and Social Reforms
- Introduced Hindi in schools but faced protests; opposed its imposition as a sole official language.
- Supported temple entry for marginalized castes and backed legislation against discrimination.
- Facilitated Dalit entry into temples, leading to the Temple Entry Authorisation and Indemnity Bill in 1939.
Political Career
- Served as Home Minister under Jawaharlal Nehru from 1950-51.
- Founded the Swatantra Party in 1959 to oppose Congress's statist policies.
- Advocated for free enterprise but criticized Soviet-style planning.
Enduring Significance
- Statue replacement aligns with BJP's cultural nationalism, reflecting a shift from colonial legacies.
- Rajaji became India's only Indian Governor-General in 1948 and served as Madras' Chief Minister from 1952-54.
- Celebrated for his retellings of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- Received the Bharat Ratna in 1954 and a state funeral in 1972.
Rajaji's political career demonstrates the possibility of principled flexibility in politics, earning respect from both Gandhi and Nehru.
