Shashi Tharoor Praises Installation of Rajagopalachari's Statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed his support for the unveiling of a statue of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking a significant moment in India's political history. Tharoor reminisced about his admiration for Rajagopalachari during his student days and highlighted the importance of honoring figures who shaped the nation. The ceremony, attended by prominent leaders, included a musical tribute to 'Vande Mataram.' Prime Minister Modi emphasized the act as a step towards mental decolonization, recognizing Rajagopalachari's contributions as a scholar and freedom fighter. This event reflects India's ongoing commitment to acknowledging its historical figures.
| Feb 24, 2026, 15:36 IST
Tharoor's Support for Rajagopalachari's Statue Unveiling
In a departure from the views of other MPs from India Block, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressed his approval of the government's decision to unveil a statue of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. In a post on X, the Thiruvananthapuram MP shared that he was a strong supporter of Rajagopalachari's Swatantra Party during his student days. Tharoor noted his delight at seeing Rajagopalachari honored with a statue in the presidential residence, highlighting that before India became a republic, he served as the only Indian Governor-General and was the first Indian to preside over this building, handing over his position to the new president.
Ceremony Highlights
On Monday, the central government replaced the statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens at Rashtrapati Bhavan with that of Rajagopalachari, the first and only Indian Governor-General of independent India. The ceremony featured a musical rendition of all six verses of 'Vande Mataram.' Notable attendees included Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, along with members of Rajagopalachari's family.
Prime Minister Modi's Remarks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message read by Shekhawat, described this statue replacement as an act of mental decolonization. In a separate post on X, he stated that this initiative reflects India's commitment to honoring those who shaped the nation's destiny while eradicating remnants of colonial mentality. Modi characterized Rajagopalachari as a distinguished scholar, freedom fighter, thinker, and administrator, whose life epitomized integrity, wisdom, and dedication to the nation.