Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a bronze bust of C. Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday during the ‘Rajaji Utsav’, replacing the bust of British architect Edwin Lutyens. Modi encouraged citizens to attend the event, noting that it highlights the remarkable contributions of Rajaji to India’s history and serves as an inspiration for all.
In his radio programme “Mann Ki Baat” on February 22, the Prime Minister had emphasised that India is moving away from symbols of colonial rule and increasingly valuing representations of its own cultural heritage. The replacement of Lutyens’ bust, who designed many of New Delhi’s iconic structures in the 1920s and 1930s, underscores this broader effort to decolonise public spaces and celebrate Indian leaders.
President Droupadi Murmu, during the unveiling, highlighted that the bust of India’s first and only Indian Governor-General represents a national effort to acknowledge leaders who played pivotal roles in shaping the country. Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, was a freedom fighter, statesman, and scholar who served as the last Governor-General of India from 1948 to 1950. The bust is placed at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap.
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan noted that the shift away from colonial influence is a continuous process across governance, law, education, and culture. He emphasised that Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Gulami ki Mansikta se Mukti” has guided initiatives including the transformation of Raj Bhavans into Lok Bhavans, renaming of the Central Secretariat to Kartavya Bhavan, installation of the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose statue near India Gate, and the construction of the National War Memorial.
Rashtrapati Bhavan stated that the exhibition on Rajaji, running from February 24 to March 1, 2026, reflects the ideals of mental decolonisation and aims to instill pride in India’s heritage. The government describes these steps not as mere symbolism, but as tangible measures to honour India’s culture, traditions, and leaders who have served the nation with extraordinary dedication.
