The bust of British architect Edwin Lutyens at Rashtrapati Bhavan has been replaced with that of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, marking a symbolic move to shed the country’s colonial past.
President Droupadi Murmu unveiled Rajagopalachari’s bust at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre during the Rajaji Utsav on Monday morning. The bust is placed at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap, occupying the spot previously held by Lutyens, the chief architect of New Delhi and the namesake of the area known as Lutyens’ Delhi.
President Murmu shared the development on X, stating that the “initiative is part of series of steps being taken towards shedding the vestiges colonial mindset and embracing, with pride, the richness of India’s culture, heritage, timeless traditions and honouring those who served Bharat Mata with their extraordinary contributions.”
Among those present at the ceremony were Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Union Ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Dharmendra Pradhan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Dr L. Murugan, and family members of Rajaji.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reposted President Murmu’s announcement, calling it “a commendable effort, which reflects India’s resolve to honour those who shaped our destiny and to shed remnants of a colonial mindset. Rajaji was a towering scholar, freedom fighter, thinker and administrator. His life embodied integrity, intellect and unwavering commitment to the nation.”
Meanwhile, writer Matt Ridley, the great-grandson of Edwin Lutyens, expressed disappointment over the removal of his ancestor’s bust, noting on X, “Sad to read that the bust of Lutyens (my great grandfather) is to be removed from the presidential palace he designed in Delhi. Here I am with it last year. I wondered at the time why his name had been removed from the plinth.”
The move comes after an announcement by PM Modi’s on Sunday that Lutyens’ statue at Rashtrapati Bhavan would be replaced by Rajagopalachari’s. An exhibition on Rajagopalachari will be held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre from February 24 to March 1, showcasing his contributions to the nation.
