C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji): Life, Contributions, Rajaji Formula & Legacy

Q: Why is Rajaji significant in Indian history?

He was the last Governor-General of India and the only Indian to hold the post. He also shaped India’s political thought through his administrative roles, reform initiatives, and writings.

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Picture Courtesy: The Free Press Journal

Context:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured the memory of C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) on his 147th birth anniversary, describing him as one of the finest minds of the 20th century and a steadfast champion of human dignity.

Must Read: RAJAGOPALACHARI | C. RAJAGOPALACHARI |

Early Life and Education:

Rajaji was born on 10 December 1878 in Thorapalli, present-day Tamil Nadu.
He completed his schooling in Hosur and pursued higher studies at Central College, Bangalore.
Later, he earned a law degree from Presidency College, Madras, establishing a successful criminal law practice in Salem before entering public life.
His first major administrative role came in 1917, when he was elected Chairman of the Salem Municipality, marking his entry into civic and political leadership.

Role in the Indian Freedom Movement:

Early Association with Congress and Gandhi

Rajaji joined the Indian National Congress in 1906 and emerged as a forceful advocate for social reform, especially the abolition of untouchability.
His meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in 1919 proved transformative, prompting him to leave his legal career and dedicate himself wholly to the freedom struggle.
Gandhi’s trust in Rajaji grew so deep that he famously called him the “keeper of my conscience.”

Participation in Mass Movements

Rajaji took part in several major anti-colonial agitations including:
- Protests against the Rowlatt Act
- The Non-Cooperation Movement
- The Vaikom Satyagraha
- The Civil Disobedience Movement
Between 1912 and 1941, Rajaji’s activism resulted in five separate jail terms, reflecting his uncompromising involvement in nationalist politics.

Vedaranyam Salt March (1930)

During the Salt Satyagraha, Rajaji led an independent march to Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu, galvanising southern India’s participation in the civil disobedience campaign.

Political Leadership:

Congress President (1939)

Rajaji briefly headed the Indian National Congress in 1939, a period marked by internal debate over India’s response to World War II.

Opposition to Quit India (1942)

Rajaji opposed the Quit India Movement, arguing that it might delay constitutional negotiations and slow down the process of achieving independence.

Role in Partition and the Rajaji Formula (1944):

By the 1940s, negotiations between the Congress and the Muslim League were deadlocked over the demand for Pakistan. Rajaji, known for his realism and political pragmatism, attempted to break this stalemate.

Core Features of the Rajaji Formula

Plebiscite in Muslim-majority provinces after independence to decide on joining India or forming a separate state.
Demarcation of territory for the proposed Pakistan if the plebiscite favoured separation.
Creation of a Common Union—for defence, foreign relations, and communications—between India and the new state.
Assurances for minority protection on both sides.
Congress would accept the possibility of Pakistan if the Muslim League agreed to support India’s full independence from Britain.

Reactions

Congress: Divided; many leaders resisted any concession to partition, though some valued the conciliatory approach.
Muslim League: Jinnah rejected the proposal, arguing that it imposed conditions on the demand for Pakistan.
British Government: Welcomed dialogue but refrained from endorsing or advancing the plan.

Post-Independence Journey:

Governor of West Bengal (1947–48): Rajaji managed the sensitive administrative transition in West Bengal after Partition, working to stabilise a region dealing with communal upheaval.

Last Governor-General of India (1948–1950): He succeeded Lord Mountbatten and presided over the final phase before India became a republic, ensuring continuity in constitutional operations.

Union Home Minister (1950–52): After Sardar Patel’s death, Rajaji became Home Affairs Minister, handling key internal security and administrative responsibilities in the early Nehru government.

Chief Minister of Madras (1952–54)

Introduced reforms such as the Modified Scheme of Elementary Education, aimed at vocational training—but widely criticised.
His decision to mandate Hindi instruction invited strong public backlash, contributing to his resignation.

Founder of the Swatantra Party (1959)

Disenchanted with the Congress’s socialist direction, Rajaji launched the Swatantra Party, championing free markets, minimal state control, and individual liberty.
The party became a significant political force, especially in southern India, and influenced later economic reforms.

Later Years

Rajaji eventually opposed compulsory Hindi education and campaigned for English to remain an official language, coining the slogan “English ever, Hindi never.”

Literary Contributions:

Authored accessible retellings of the Ramayana and Mahabharata in English and Tamil.
Wrote essays on ethics, governance, political philosophy, and social reform.
Edited journals such as Young India and The Hindu during the national movement.
Advocated the preservation of Indian cultural traditions while promoting rational social reforms.

Legacy

Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954 for his lifelong service to the nation.
Valued for his insistence on ethical public life, individual liberty, and limited government.
His writings continue to be read widely, and the Swatantra Party’s economic ideas shaped India’s later liberalisation era.

Conclusion:

Rajagopalachari’s life reflects a rare blend of moral conviction, political foresight, and intellectual depth. From the freedom struggle to post-Independence governance, his contributions shaped India’s democratic foundations. As a reformer, administrator, and thinker, Rajaji remained committed to ethical politics, individual liberty, and pragmatic solutions with values that continue to resonate long after his era.

Source: The Free Press Journal

Attempt Daily Quiz

Practice Question

With reference to C. Rajagopalachari, consider the following statements:

1. He was the only Indian to serve as the Governor-General of India.

2. He led the Salt Satyagraha march at Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu.

3. He founded the Swatantra Party in opposition to the socialist economic policies of the Congress.

4. He fully supported the Quit India Movement in 1942.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 Correct: He was the only Indian to serve as the Governor-General of India.

· After Lord Mountbatten stepped down in 1948, C. Rajagopalachari became the Governor-General of India, serving from 1948 to 1950.

· He was the first and only Indian to hold this post.

· The office itself was abolished after India became a republic in 1950.

Statement 2 Correct: He led the Salt Satyagraha march at Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu.

· In 1930, as part of the Civil Disobedience Movement, Rajaji led a regional Salt March starting from Tiruchirapalli to Vedaranyam on the Tamil coast.

· It became a major symbol of southern India’s participation in the national struggle and paralleled Gandhi’s Dandi March.

Statement 3 Correct: He founded the Swatantra Party in opposition to the socialist economic policies of the Congress.

· In 1959, disillusioned with the Congress Party's growing tilt toward state-led economic planning and socialism, Rajaji established the Swatantra Party.

· The party advocated for:

o Free markets

o Limited government

o Protection of individual liberties

· It became one of the strongest national-level opposition parties in the 1960s.

Statement 4 Incorrect: He fully supported the Quit India Movement in 1942.

· Rajaji opposed the Quit India Movement, arguing that a mass revolt during World War II would worsen the political deadlock and delay constitutional negotiations.

· He believed a more negotiated approach with the British and the Muslim League would secure independence faster.

· His stand led to strong criticism within Congress and caused temporary political isolation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

C. Rajagopalachari, or Rajaji, was a freedom fighter, statesman, administrator, writer, and social reformer who played a major role in both the national movement and post-independence governance

He was the last Governor-General of India and the only Indian to hold the post. He also shaped India’s political thought through his administrative roles, reform initiatives, and writings.

He joined the Congress early, worked closely with Gandhi, participated in major movements like the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience movements, led the Vedaranyam Salt March, and was jailed multiple times.