Rajaji to replace Lutyens at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday that a statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens in the Rashtrapati Bhavan will be replaced by a statue of C Rajagopalachari, the first Indian governor-general of independent India.

Edwin Lutyens, in collaboration with Sir Herbert Baker, designed several monumental buildings in New Delhi, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block, South Block, and India Gate. In recognition of his contribution, a part of New Delhi is also known as Lutyens Delhi’.

The announcement comes days after PM Modi, on February 13 , inaugurated Seva Teerth, a new complex, which now houses the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), and the Cabinet Secretariat.

The inauguration represented a move away from colonial-era administrative structures, with the new complex symbolising a “spirit of service” rather than just a seat of power, the PM had asserted then, with the new office promoting “Nagrik Devo Bhava” (citizen is akin to God. Earlier, the Rajpath was renamed Kartavya Path.

Meanwhile, during his monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat,on Sunday, PM Modi noted that, unfortunately, even after independence, statues of British administrators remained in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, while those of India’s great leaders were not honoured with a place there.

However, the country is moving away from symbols of colonial rule and is beginning to embrace symbols of Indian culture, the prime minister stated.“A statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens also stood in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Now, this statue will be replaced by a statue of Rajaji (C Rajagopalachari),” he said.

Modi mentioned that during the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ he had discussed the ‘Panch-Pran’ from the Red Fort, highlighting the importance of freeing oneself from the mentality

of slavery. Affirming that the Rashtrapati Bhavan is taking a significant step forward in this regard, he announced that the ‘Rajaji Utsav’ will be celebrated on February 23, during which the statue of C Rajagopalachari will be unveiled in the central courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

“Rajagopalachari was among those who saw power not as a position but as a service. His conduct, self-restraint, and independent thinking in public life inspire us even today,” the prime minister said.