PM Modi announces ‘Rajaji Utsav’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Feb 23; statue of C. Rajagopalachari to replace colonial-era symbol
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the inaugural programme of Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan-1 & 2 in New Delhi, Friday, February 13, 2026. (IANS/Video Grab)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that ‘Rajaji Utsav’ will be observed at Rashtrapati Bhavan on February 23, during which a statue of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the first Indian Governor-General of independent India, will be unveiled in the Central Courtyard of the presidential estate.
Speaking during the 131st episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister described the move as part of a broader national effort to shed colonial-era symbols and embrace icons rooted in Indian culture and history.
“During the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, I spoke of the ‘Panch-Pran’ from the Red Fort. One of them is freedom from the mentality of slavery. Today, the country is leaving behind the symbols of slavery and has begun to value symbols related to Indian culture. Our Rashtrapati Bhavan has also taken an important step in this direction,” PM Modi said.
Announcing the celebration, he said, “Tomorrow, i.e. the 23rd of February, ‘Rajaji Utsav’ will be celebrated at Rashtrapati Bhavan. On this occasion, a statue of C. Rajagopalachari ji will be unveiled in the Central Courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was the first Indian Governor General of Independent India.”
Highlighting Rajagopalachari’s legacy, the Prime Minister said, “He 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.”
Expressing regret over the continuation of colonial symbols after Independence, PM Modi noted, “Unfortunately, even after independence, statues of British administrators were allowed to remain in Rashtrapati Bhavan, but those of the nation’s greatest sons were denied space.”
Referring specifically to the statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens, he added, “A statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens also stood in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Now, this statue will be replaced by a statue of Rajaji.”
As part of the celebrations, an exhibition dedicated to Rajagopalachari’s life and contributions will be organised at Rashtrapati Bhavan from February 24 to March 1. The Prime Minister urged citizens to visit the exhibition to learn more about the statesman’s legacy.
