Rajaji Utsav: Rajagopalachari Bust Replaces Edwin Lutyens At Rashtrapati Bhavan, PM Modi Urges Citizens To Visit
Event Highlights Push To Move Beyond Colonial Symbols
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the unveiling of a bronze bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where it replaces the earlier bust of British architect Edwin Lutyens. The installation took place during the ‘Rajaji Utsav’, an exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of India’s first Indian Governor-General.
Sharing the update on social media, the Prime Minister described the initiative as an opportunity for citizens to understand Rajaji’s contributions and draw inspiration from his ideas.
Exhibition Focuses On Rajaji’s Legacy
According to official communications, Droupadi Murmu examined exhibits on Rajagopalachari after unveiling the bust. The exhibition, organised from February 24 to March 1, showcases Rajaji’s role as a freedom fighter, statesman and scholar who served as Governor-General from 1948 to 1950.
The President noted that replacing the Lutyens bust symbolises a broader national effort to move beyond colonial-era legacies and recognise Indian leaders who shaped the country’s political and cultural identity.
Message On Decolonisation And National Identity
During his recent Mann Ki Baat broadcast, Modi said India is gradually moving away from symbols associated with colonial rule and embracing markers of indigenous heritage. The change at Rashtrapati Bhavan was presented as part of that wider shift.
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan described the process as an ongoing transformation rather than a single symbolic act. He pointed to reforms across governance, law, culture and public institutions aimed at reshaping national identity.
Broader Policy Context
Officials linked the initiative to several measures promoted under the theme of “Gulami ki Mansikta se Mukti”, including renaming government buildings, replacing colonial-era criminal laws, installing statues of national leaders such as Subhas Chandra Bose near India Gate, and building memorials honouring India’s military history.
The Vice-President emphasised that these steps reflect an attempt to align public spaces and institutions with Indian historical narratives and values.
Conclusion
The Rajaji Utsav and the installation of Rajagopalachari’s bust mark another symbolic moment in India’s ongoing conversation about history, identity and institutional memory. While largely ceremonial, such initiatives highlight how cultural representation in national spaces continues to evolve alongside broader policy and political narratives.