Introduction
C. Rajagopalachari was one of
the best among Mahatma Gandhi's disciples and He was intelligent and
the true social worker. He had a tremendous deal of sympathy for the
impoverished. His heart was filled with the spirit of duty to his country. He
is a symbol of sacrifice and simplicity, having committed his life to the
service of his nation. Everyone respected him. He was regarded as the epitome
of truth and honesty.
Who is C. Rajagopalachari
Rajaji was born on 10 December
1878 in Thorapalli Agraharam in Tamil Nadu After completing his school and
college education, he went to Chennai to study law. He passed the bar exam at
University of Madras. After becoming a lawyer, he began practicing in his
district court. He had a sharp mind and soon continued his advocacy. Along with
advocacy, when he was elected Salem Municipal President, a spirit of social
service formed in his way of thinking. In this position, he provided excellent
service to the public. He has always had a soft spot for marginalized classes
and Harijans in society. At the time, society had a strong sense of
untouchability. Upper-caste not permitted the Harijans to visit their village
or house. These beliefs were not accepted by Rajaji
The role of C. Rajagopalachari
One of the first things he did
after assuming the post of Municipal President was to appoint a Harijan in the
water supply of the city. A great protest took place in Salem against this but
Rajaji did not budge. He said, 'We all are human beings too; Harijans are human
beings. What is different about human society? Later, Rajaji opened the doors
of many temples for the Harijans.
C. Rajagopalachari and Gandhiji
After practicing as a lawyer in
Salem for a few years, Rajaji moved to Chennai and became an advocate in the
Madras High Court. Rajaji began his professional life as a lawyer. India was
not free at the time. The British ruled the nation. In South Africa, Mahatma
Gandhi fought against British control and achieved a major triumph and returned
back to India. Gandhiji took the initiative to make India independent. He
travelled throughout India. And met many leaders. He suggested that the country
have to work together to achieve freedom. Gandhiji’s Satyagraha was an
effective weapon in the struggle with the British in South Africa. So he decided
to use the same idea in India as well. Gandhiji met Rajaji in Madras and took
his advice and decided to start the Satyagraha movement. Rajaji was so
impressed with Gandhiji's plans that he gave up lawyer career and joined the Satyagraha
movement.
Freedom Struggle
From 1920, Rajaji's spent
entire life in service to the country and society. Always supported Gandhiji in
his movements. He went to jail many times and was in jail for many years.
Gandhiji started the first Satyagraha movement in 1920. He enjoined to observe
peace and non-violence. Gandhiji started the alcohol abstinence movement.
Rajaji devoted himself wholeheartedly to the success of Gandhiji's programme.
As Salem district is a drought district, rainfall is low. That is why the
farmers there were mostly poor. To help them, Rajaji established a Gandhi
Ashram in a village called 'Tiruchengode' in Namakkal district. He engaged in
public service work with a few comrades. He exhorted the people to get
rid of untouchability, to stop drinking and to stop hating Harijans. He kept
two Harijans with him in his ashram. At first the people were very angry at
this, but impressed by Rajaji thoughts and they stopped protesting.
Salt Satyagraha and C. Rajagopalachari’s contributions
In 1930 Gandhiji started another movement against the foreign rulers of
India. Gandhiji always started his movement with minor issue, this was his
specialty. This time he decided to break the salt law. Many were surprised and
they began to think how to achieve self-government by breaking the salt law.
But Gandhiji knew the secret of Satyagraha very well. He embarked on a 150-mile
journey with some of his comrades, which became popularly known as the 'Dandi
March' and walked 150 miles and broke the salt law. Rajaji inspired by Gandhi and
started a 100 mile journey from Thanjavur with his 100 companions. The
Collector of Thanjavur ordered that no one would provide food, drink or lodging
for Rajaji's party. Wherever when Rajaji's entourage reached, the people welcomed
Rajaji and his companions with open arms. They helped them by giving them all
kinds of food. Finally, completing a journey of 100 miles, Rajaji reached
Vedaranyam. There, nature itself accumulates salt, but the government was
controlling it. Rajaji and the companions each took a handful of salt from the
heap. Immediately the government police came and arrested all of them and put
them into jail.
Rajaji and his productive skills
Rajaji did not waste a single minute even while in prison. He was well
versed in English and Tamil, but had little knowledge of Sanskrit. While in
prison he learned Sanskrit and became proficient in that language as well. He
studied Ramayana, Gita, Upanishads etc. deeply. He used to deliver discourses
on the Ramayana in the jail, to which all the political prisoners in the jail
used to gather.
Rajaji is also a loves of literature. His English was simple but strong like
Gandhiji's English. When Gandhiji was in jail, The responsibility of editing
the weekly English magazine 'Harijan' rested on Rajaji's shoulders. Rajaji
wrote the poems of Ramayana and Mahabharata in Tamil in a very simple and
interesting style, which have been translated into all the languages of India.
He has also written many short stories.
Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha
Rajaji was a great supporter of Hindi and for many years was the
Vice-President of the Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha. When he took over as
the Chief Minister of the United Provinces of Tamil Nadu and Andhra (Madras
Presidency) in 1937, he announced that the teaching of Hindi would be made
compulsory in all schools. This gave more impetus to the Hindi campaign in
South India.
The First and Last Indian Governor General of India
When India gained independence, Rajaji was appointed as the first Indian
Governor General of India. He worked in this position for two years and ruled
the country with great success. The vices of corruption, atrocities, bribery
etc. had come to an end during his reign. He lived a simple life even though he
sat in a position of power. He wear simple clothes and used to eat simple food
and present a lofty ideal to future rulers.
Conclusion
In his old age, he was saddened by the state of the country. One day when
the author of his biography went to meet him he said- I have an old copy of the
Ramayana and the paper is ruined. wherever you put your hand, a piece of it
will break off, today our country is in the same situation.
Rajaji's sacrifice,
penance, patriotism, social service and love towards Harijan are unique. We
Indians will always remember this.
Reference : Rashtrabhasha Pathya Pustak
