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Celebrating the 143rd birth anniversary of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the country pays tribute to his remarkable contributions in various fields, from freedom struggle to administration and intellectual prowess. Popularly known as Rajaji, this brilliant mind has not only held key political roles but also was an advocate for equal rights and education reform.
Setting the Foundation: Birth & Early Years
Rajaji was born on December 10th, 1878 and acquired his knowledge of law from Presidency College in Madras (now Chennai). By the turn of the century, in 1900, he began practicing law in Salem. His intellect shone early on when he formed the Tamil Scientific Terms Society in 1916, translating complex scientific terms into simple Tamil words.
He then took on the role of chairperson for the municipality of Salem in 1917, a position he held for two years. In recognition of his extensive contributions to the nation, he was honoured with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1955. Rajaji passed away on December 25th, 1972.
Political Career Spanning Two Eras
Rajaji was a prominent figure in both pre- and post-independence India. He joined the Indian National Congress as a legal advisor and defended P. Varadarajulu Naidu, an independence activist, against charges of sedition in 1917. Elected as the first Premier of the Madras Presidency in 1937, he initiated the abolition of untouchability and caste prejudice with the Madras Temple Entry Authorisation and Indemnity Act in 1939.
As the last Governor General of India, he played a crucial role during the partition as the Governor of West Bengal. He also held the office of independent India’s first Governor General temporarily in Lord Mountbatten’s absence.
Post-independence, he served as the Chief Minister of Madras, beginning in April 1952. His tenure was marked by significant reforms in education and society at large, including making Hindi a compulsory language in Tamil schools. Despite protests against this move, Rajaji resigned from his position. After Sardar Patel’s death in 1950, he was appointed as the Home Affairs Minister.
Rajaji’s political journey concluded with his resignation from the Indian National Congress in 1959 to establish the Swatantra Party. Believing in the significance of religion for society, he aimed to reintroduce the Varna system while simultaneously advocating for a free market economy.
Unforgettable Contribution to the Freedom Struggle
The Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi marked the beginning of Rajaji’s participation in the freedom struggle. Meeting Gandhi for the first time in 1919, his belief in the principles of Hindu-Muslim unity and abolition of untouchability led to his arrest and two-year imprisonment in Vellore in 1920.
His commitment to these principles was further manifested through his involvement in the Vaikom Satyagraha movement against untouchability, and parallel march to Gandhi’s Dandi March, breaking the salt law at Vedaranyam in the Madras Presidency. However, Rajaji’s views diverged from Gandhi’s during the Quit India Movement, asserting that another Satyagraha was not necessary as the British were already on the verge of leaving India.
Literary Contributions That Echo Through Time
In addition to his numerous roles, Rajaji was also an acclaimed author. His notable literary contribution includes a Tamil translation of the Ramayana, published as ‘Chakravarthi Thirumagan’, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in the Tamil language in 1958. His divergence into the literary sphere further emphasizes his diverse talents and contributions to Indian society.
