C Rajagopalachari
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, ‘Rajaji’ or simply ‘C.R’ to many, was India’s first and only Indian Governor General. Arguably the greatest intellectual among the leading lights of India’s freedom struggle, Rajaji was a devout patriot, skilful administrator, fearless social reformer and one of the architects of modern India.
Rajaji was born to Chakravarti Iyengar and Sringarammal in 1878 at Thorapalli, Salem district, Tamil Nadu. His father was the village munsiff and a great scholar of the Indian epics and scriptures. Schooled at his native village and nearby Hosur, Rajaji obtained his B.A. degree from Central College, Bangalore, and later qualified for the Bar at Madras. On a visit to the Madras Law College, Swami Vivekananda, the monk who propagated Hindu philosophy in India and abroad, greatly impressed by the student Rajagopalachari’s intelligence, predicted a bright future for him.
It was in Salem that Rajaji, aged just 20, began independent practice as a lawyer. He married Alamelu Mangammal in the same year. His reputation as an incisive criminal lawyer grew as he won even complicated cases with consummate ease. A feather in his cap was the acquittal he obtained for patriot Varadarajulu Naidu in a case filed against Naidu by the Government, for having spoken against it. In 1916 occurred an incident that stands testimony to Rajaji’s statesmanship.
When a train carrying eminent theosophist Annie Besant – arrested by the Government for playing an active role in the ‘Home Rule’ movement - came to Salem, people had gathered in large numbers to see her, but were refused permission by the authorities. Angered, they squatted on the rail track. When the Salem Collector was about to issue an order to the police to open fire, Rajaji assured him that the people would be orderly and obtained permission for the gathering to offer garlands to Annie Besant. He later argued successfully in court for the release of Annie Besant.
In 1917, Rajaji became President of the Salem Municipal Council and dedicated himself to social work. The local body received new impetus as Rajaji started education programmes for adults, factory workers and the ‘untouchables’ of India. He was undaunted by the sharp criticism fired at his efforts towards Harijan upliftment.
His early association with freedom fighters V O Chidambaram Pillai and Subrahmanya Bharati had kindled a strong patriotic flame in him, prompting an entry into politics even if it meant giving up a lucrative law practice.
Rajaji served as the General Secretary to the Indian National Congress in 1921-22 and continued as a member for a further two decades. In 1937, he became the Chief Minister of Madras Province, when, for the first time, the Congress participated in the elections. He was the first to introduce prohibition in India and, to compensate for the loss of revenue, he also introduced Sales Tax - a move welcomed by many economists.
Giving up office in 1939 in protest against the Congress decision to cooperate with the British and involve India in the Second World War, he kept aloof from the Quit India movement and resigned from Congress in 1942. When the Muslim League under Jinnah pressed for partition, Rajaji was one of the first Indian leaders to support the demand for Pakistan, though the Congress opposed it. He was convinced that acceding to the Muslim demand would not stand in the way of India’s gaining freedom.
Though he was ridiculed and severely criticised, the Congress eventually had to give in to the demand in 1946. When Jawaharlal Nehru formed a Government on the eve of independence, Rajaji, having joined the Congress again, became a Minister. He was to become the Governor of West Bengal in 1947. Assuming office as Governor General when Lord Mountbatten returned to England the next year, Rajaji proclaimed India a Republic in 1950.
Soon, Rajaji ‘retired’ from politics and turned his attention to the world of literature and mythology, only to be persuaded by the Congress again in 1952 to assume the mantle of Chief Minister of Madras at the ripe old age of 75. He removed all controls on foodgrains – another measure initially criticised by several ministers at the Centre, but later adopted countrywide. Saddened by the stiff opposition to his plans to radically change the educational system in the State, he resigned in 1954. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in the same year. Rajaji believed in a decentralised economy and opposed the nationalisation of banks and the dominance of the public sector. He became a strident critic of Nehru’s regime of a state-controlled economy, which he termed the permit licence raj. Sensing that the need of the hour was a strong opposition, Rajaji, then 82, founded the Swatantra Party, which was to be the main opposition party in the Lok Sabha till 1969.
“His meeting had the most civilising influence on me. Seldom have I heard a case presented with such precision, clarity and elegance of language.”
– John F Kennedy
In 1961, representing the Gandhi Peace Foundation, Rajaji visited Britain and the United States of America. He had a 45-minute-discussion with US President John F Kennedy, who appreciated him warmly saying the encounter had brought him the great influence of a pure and gentle culture.
A fluent writer in English and Tamil, Rajaji translated the Ramayana and the Mahabharata into simple and beautiful English, calling it ‘his greatest service to the people’. His version of the Mahabharata is a textbook for Oriental studies in five American Universities. He won the Sahitya Akademi award for his ‘Mahabharata’ in Tamil.
While in prison during the freedom movement, he wrote a book on the Greek philosopher Aristotle. He also wrote stories for children and some verse. The soul-stirring ‘Kurai onrum illai’, an M S Subbulakshmi favourite, was written by him. This excerpt from Rajaji’s writings in 1921, is an example of his acute foresight.
“As soon as freedom comes there will be a scramble for elected places; in its wake will come corruption, injustice and the wickedness caused by money and an inefficient administration. What we get from our independence will be only freedom from indignity and slavery. Our future lies in making our youngsters good citizens by giving them from early days an education, which is likely to create good conduct, righteousness and mutual love. If that is not done, it is certain that they will be crushed under the wickedness of injustice and wealth.”