Image used for representational purposes. File | Photo credit: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan will be replaced by that of C. Rajagopalachari, the first Indian Governor-General of independent India. He said that Rashtrapati Bhavan will celebrate Rajaji Utsav on February 23.
Mr. Modi said that during the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, he outlined the “Panch Pran” (Five Pledges), which included freedom from the colonial mindset. He said that even 78 years after independence, statues of British administrators remained in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, while statues of Indian leaders were not worshipped.
The Prime Minister said that the country is now shunning the symbols of colonial rule and embracing Indian heroes and culture. “Rajagopalachari was one of those who understood power not as position but as service. His conduct, self-control and independent thinking in public life inspire us even today,” he said.
Published – 22 February 2026 21:45 IST
