The Prime Minister of India, paid tribute to Shri Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (popularly known as Rajaji) on his birth anniversary (10th December), remembering his invaluable contributions to India’s freedom struggle, governance, and social empowerment. Read here to learn more about his life.
He is remembered for his rich contribution to India’s freedom struggle and efforts to further India’s progress.
He was a multifaceted persona, strongly impacting governance, literature and social empowerment.
He was the first Indian and last Governor General of India before the office was abolished in 1950.
C. Rajagopalachari (1878–1972)
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, commonly known as C. Rajagopalachari or Rajaji, was a prominent Indian freedom fighter, statesman, writer, and social reformer.
He was the last Governor-General of India, a role he held after India became a republic.
Rajaji’s contributions to India’s independence movement and post-independence polity are immense, spanning politics, governance, and literature.
Early Life and Education
- Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, popularly called Rajaji, was born on 10 December 1878 in Thorapalli, Tamil Nadu.
- He attended the government school in Hosur, Tamil Nadu and went on to study at Central College, Bangalore.
- Later, he obtained a law degree from Presidency College, Madras and began his criminal law practice in Salem.
- Profession: Practiced law before dedicating himself to the freedom struggle.
- His entry into public life was marked in 1917 when he became the chairperson of the municipality of Salem in 1917.
Role in the Indian Freedom Struggle
- He joined the Indian National Congress in 1906 and advocated for social reforms, including the abolition of untouchability.
- Rajaji’s interaction with Gandhi in 1919 led him to give up his legal profession to be fully involved in the nation’s independence struggle.
- The relationship between them only grew stronger and Mahatma called Rajaji the ‘keeper of my conscience’.
- He participated in agitations against the Rowlatt Act, the Non-Cooperation movement, the Vaikom Satyagraha, and the Civil Disobedience Movement.
- For these activities, between 1912 and 1941, as a result of which he was jailed five times.
- Played a key role in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930, leading the march at Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu.
- Political Leadership:
- Served as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1939.
- Opposed the Quit India Movement of 1942, believing it would delay India’s independence.
- Role in Partition:
- Supported the idea of partition as a practical solution to communal tensions, despite opposition from many Congress leaders.
The Rajaji formula
He proposed the Rajaji Formula in 1944 to resolve the impasse between the Indian National Congress and the All India Muslim League over the demand for Pakistan and to achieve Indian independence from British rule.
- The Indian independence movement was marred by growing tensions between the Congress, which represented a united India, and the Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which demanded a separate state for Muslims (Pakistan).
- World War II intensified calls for independence as Britain relied on India’s resources, but there was no consensus among Indian leaders.
- Rajaji, known for his pragmatic approach, sought to reconcile these differences to break the deadlock and negotiate with the British effectively.
Key Provisions of the Rajaji Formula:
- Plebiscite for Partition: Provinces with a Muslim majority could hold a plebiscite after independence to decide whether they wanted to remain in India or form a separate sovereign state.
- Territorial Demarcation: The areas opting for separation would be demarcated into a separate state, i.e., Pakistan.
- Union for Common Interests: Both India and the new state would form a union for the following purposes:
- Defence
- Foreign affairs
- Communications
- Minority Rights: Minority rights would be safeguarded in both India and the proposed Pakistan to ensure communal harmony.
- Acceptance of Independence: The Congress would accept the demand for Pakistan, subject to the plebiscite if the Muslim League supported India’s struggle for complete independence from British rule.
Reaction to the Rajaji Formula:
- Indian National Congress: Mixed reactions: Some leaders appreciated Rajaji’s pragmatic approach, but others, including Mahatma Gandhi, were reluctant to accept the idea of partition.
- Muslim League: Rejected the proposal: Jinnah dismissed the Rajaji Formula, arguing that it placed the burden of proving the demand for Pakistan on Muslims through a plebiscite.
- Jinnah also demanded that Pakistan be recognized as a sovereign state upfront, not as a conditional outcome.
- British Government: The British welcomed any dialogue between the Congress and the Muslim League but took no concrete steps to support the proposal.
Governance and Post-Independence Contributions
- Governor of West Bengal (1947–1948): Oversaw the administration during the turbulent partition period.
- Last Governor-General of India (1948–1950): The only Indian to hold this position after Lord Mountbatten, he steered the transition as India became a republic in 1950.
- Home Affairs minister: He joined Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s central government and succeeded Vallabhbhai Patel as minister for home affairs upon Patel’s death in December 1950.
- Chief Minister of Madras (1952–1954): Introduced significant reforms, including the controversial Modified Madras Scheme for education, which aimed to introduce vocational training at the school level. His decision to make Hindi a mandatory language in schools drew heavy criticism.
- Founder of the Swatantra Party (1959): Disillusioned with the Congress Party’s socialist policies, he founded the Swatantra Party, advocating for free-market economics and limited government intervention. The party gained significant traction in southern India.
- Later years: In his later years, Rajagopalachari reversed his earlier support of Hindi learning in Madras. He supported the continuation of English as the government’s official language and coined the slogan “English ever, Hindi never.”
Literary and Cultural Contributions
- Authored books on Indian epics, including simplified versions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata in English and Tamil.
- Wrote extensively on political philosophy and social reform.
- Edited prominent publications like Young India and Hindu during the freedom struggle.
- Contributed to Tamil literature and advocated for preserving Indian culture and heritage.
Legacy and Recognition
Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954, India’s highest civilian award.
Advocated for personal ethics, individual liberty, and social reforms.
Criticized socialism and centralized economic planning, favouring Gandhian simplicity and self-reliance.
His translations of Indian epics continue to be widely read.
The Swatantra Party’s ideology influenced later economic liberalization in India.
Conclusion
Rajagopalachari was a multifaceted leader whose contributions spanned politics, literature, and social reform. Known for his sharp intellect and moral conviction, Rajaji played a pivotal role in shaping modern India and left an indelible mark on the nation’s history.
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-Article by Swathi Satish
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