President Droupadi Murmu on Monday unveiled a bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking a symbolic step aimed at honouring India’s national icons and shedding colonial-era legacies.
The bust, installed at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap, replaces that of British architect Edwin Lutyens. In a post on X, the President said the move is part of ongoing efforts to discard vestiges of a colonial mindset and to embrace India’s cultural heritage and the contributions of leaders who served the nation with distinction.
Rajagopalachari, popularly known as Rajaji, was the first and only Indian Governor-General of independent India. Speaking at the event, President Murmu recalled that when Rajaji moved into Government House – now Rashtrapati Bhavan – he placed portraits of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Mahatma Gandhi in his room, symbolising the spirit of Swaraj even when India was still formally a Dominion. She described the gesture as an early example of “mental decolonisation” and said his ideals continue to inspire national efforts to take pride in India’s heritage.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan and several Union Ministers, including Jagat Prakash Nadda, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Dharmendra Pradhan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and L. Murugan, along with members of Rajaji’s family.
As part of the commemorative events titled ‘Rajaji Utsav’, an exhibition showcasing Rajagopalachari’s life and work will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan from February 24 to March 1.
