Overview On 23 February 2026 , President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a bust of C. Rajagopalachari at the grand staircase of Rashtrapati Bhavan . The new bust replaces that of Edwin Lutyens , reflecting the government’s drive to shed colonial vestiges and foreground Indian heritage. Key Developments Removal of Lutyens’ bust and installation of Rajagopalachari’s bust at a prominent location in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Renaming of historic halls: Durbar Hall to Ganatantra Mandap and Ashok Hall to Ashok Mandap . Creation of Granth Kutir – a dedicated library housing 2,300 books and manuscripts in 11 classical languages. Renaming of the former Rajpath to Kartavya Path in 2022. Designation of the Mughal Gardens as Amrit Udyan to give them a common Indian name. Important Facts about C. Rajagopalachari Birth & Early Career: Born on 10 December 1878 in Thorappalli, Salem district, Madras Presidency. Completed his law degree in 1899 and began practice in Salem. Freedom Struggle: Inspired by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, joined the Indian National Congress. Led the Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha from Tiruchi to Vedaranyam, earning national acclaim. Post‑Independence Roles: Served as Governor of West Bengal, then became the Governor‑General after Lord Mountbatten. Later appointed Home Minister following Sardar Patel’s death. Honours: First recipient of the Bharat Ratna in 1954. Political Initiative: Founded the Swatantra Party , positioning it as a movement for a market‑oriented economy. Important Facts about Edwin Lutyens Born in London in 1869, Lutyens was commissioned in 1912 to design the new capital of British India after the shift from Kolkata. His portfolio includes Rashtrapati Bhavan , India Gate , the North and South Block Secretariat buildings, and several princely residences such as Hyderabad House and Baroda House. He was knighted in 1918. UPSC Relevance The replacement of colonial symbols with indigenous ones illustrates the ongoing process of “decolonisation” in public spaces – a theme that can appear in GS 2 (Polity & Governance) and GS 1 (History & Culture) . Understanding Rajagopalachari’s multifaceted role – freedom fighter, Governor‑General, Home Minister, and party founder – is essential for questions on post‑independence political leadership and the evolution of Indian party politics. The Swatantra Party’s market‑economy stance provides a case study for the ideological spectrum in Indian politics, relevant to GS 3 (Economy) . Architectural heritage and the renaming of landmarks like Kartavya Path are useful for questions on cultural policy and heritage management. Way Forward for Aspirants Memorise key dates: 10 Dec 1878 (birth), 23 Feb 2026 (bust unveiling), 1954 (Bharat Ratna). Link Rajagopalachari’s roles to the constitutional evolution from Governor‑General to President. Compare Swatantra Party’s ideology with contemporary economic policies. Analyse the symbolic importance of replacing colonial monuments in the context of nation‑building.