10 December 1878: Birth Anniversary of C. Rajagopalachari

Excerpts of Jawaharlal Nehru’s Tribute to Rajaji

For the last 28 years, I have been closely associated with Rajaji and we have faced many crisis together many difficulties and many problems. We have sometimes differed from each other and have parted company on the political field. But, again, we have met to cooperate and work together. So, when i think of him, I hardly think of him as the Governor-General of India but rather as a close colleague with whom I have worked for all these many years

It was a peculiar satisfaction to me that by Rajaji becoming the Governor-General, that close association continues in a different form. I must mention to you now, that in the course of these 28 years, occasions had arisen when politically speaking we differed some what from each other ; we did not see eye to eye and we felt that in regard to some important matters, our approaches were different. I do not know if that difference in approach may not be evident now or in the future in regard to any matter. Indeed, when thinking of working together, it does not mean that we should agree in everything or that there must be certain regimentation of thought, Inevitably, there is always a difference of opinion between one individual and another but if there is a basic identity in objective and method of approach and if there is certain confidence in the integrity of purpose, then the difference of opinion does not count very much. Even if they differ, it does not do injury to anyone. Democracy does not mean the regimentation of uniformity of opinion but the capacity of have differences of opinion and get out of them to produce uniformity of action.

Rajaji is a person of strong convictions and strong beliefs, who has adhered to them. You know he was very much influenced in the early years by Mahatma Gandhi. He accepted basically Mahatmaji’s approach to various problems. Nevertheless, at no time did he become a person who unthinkingly accepted any one’s dictum, even Mahatmaji’s. Rajaji will argue with Mahatmaji, debate with him and would not give in easily. Ultimately however, he would give in because he thought it best in the circumstances to accept Mahatmaji’s judgement.

We see Rajaji today in the highest position of the State in India. It is rather symbolical that a man like Rajaji- in his personal life the simplest of us all in dress, habits, food and everything else should suddenly be put in a place which was symbolic of the power and glory of an empire. This is an odd transition very significant and full of meaning. In a State, naturally, there must be a certain emblem there should be a certain dignity. It is not quite a symbol of high thinking and simple living that our State Officers should be accommodated in mud houses. Probably the most complicated way of living is to live in mud houses. So a State has to have certain dignity. State buildings should certainly have simplicity but dignity also- I hope every building in the country will have stability, dignity and comfort. But what is important is not merely the dignity of a building but also of its occupant. The phenomenon is very significant in the present day context of India. Rajaji is the simplest of Indians in his way of life, occupying a place which has been a symbol of the very reverse of simplicity in the past and occupying it with great dignity and affect.

Source: C.Rajagopalachari Papers (VI^th to XII^th), MSS, NMML