Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to C Rajagopalachari, widely known as Rajaji, on his birth anniversary, recognising his immense contributions to India’s freedom struggle and nation-building.
PM Modi shared archival materials, including photographs and historical documents, to mark the occasion and remind the nation of Rajaji’s enduring legacy.
Born on December 10, 1878, Rajagopalachari was an eminent statesman, writer, and freedom fighter, remembered as independent India’s last Governor-General and the only Indian to hold that office.
In a social media post, PM Modi described him as ‘freedom fighter, thinker, intellectual, statesman’, noting his belief in creating value and upholding human dignity.
PM Modi added that the nation continues to remember Rajaji’s contributions with gratitude.
Rare archival material shared by the Prime Minister included a photograph of a young Rajaji, his Cabinet Minister appointment notification, a picture with volunteers from the 1920s, and an edition of Young India from 1922 that Rajaji edited during Mahatma Gandhi’s imprisonment.
Freedom fighter, thinker, intellectual, statesman…these are some descriptions that come to the mind when one recalls Shri C. Rajagopalachari. Tributes to him on his birth anniversary. He remains one of the sharpest minds of the 20th century, who believed in creating value and… pic.twitter.com/VcE4jt5MD9
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 10, 2025
Advocate of Social Reform and National Freedom
A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, Rajaji strongly supported social reforms, including the fight against untouchability.
Rajagopalachari served as Premier of the Madras Presidency, founded the Swatantra Party, and the government awarded him the Bharat Ratna in 1954 for his contributions to politics, literature, and public service.
Rajaji’s personal meeting with Gandhi in 1919 marked a turning point, leading him to leave a successful legal career to fully dedicate himself to India’s freedom struggle.
Gandhi later referred to him as the ‘keeper of my conscience’.
Rajaji actively participated in key national movements, including protests against the Rowlatt Act, the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Vaikom Satyagraha, and the Civil Disobedience Movement.
For his involvement, he was imprisoned five times between 1912 and 1941.
C Rajagopalachari passed away on December 25, 1972, leaving behind a legacy of principled leadership, intellectual depth, and a lifelong commitment to India’s social and political progress.
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