The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : `New critical biography on Rajaji needed'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 11, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

`New critical biography on Rajaji needed'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, DEC. 10. There is an urgent need for a new critical biography on Rajaji, Ramachandra Guha, historian, said today.

Though several eminent authors such as Masti Venkatesa Iyengar, Rajmohan Gandhi and Monica Felton had written biographies on the late leader, new insights into Rajaji had to be made. This was what any mature society did, Dr. Guha said, addressing a seminar on "Understanding Rajaji" organised here by the Mumbai-based organisation, The Rajaji Foundation, together with the Indian Liberal Group and Project for Economic Education.

Dr. Guha said Rajaji's extensive writing in Tamil could throw new light on him.

Comparison with leaders

Comparing Rajaji with other great leaders, Dr. Guha noted that he shared broadmindedness with Rabindranath Tagore; deep abhorrence of social inequalities with Mahatma Gandhi; absolute commitment to create a multi-religious society with Jawaharlal Nehru and constitutionalism with B.R. Ambedkar.

The historian said Rajaji was a conservative in one respect, which was on women going to work. A dispassionate study on him was required.

R. Srinivasan, former professor of political science, University of Mumbai, said Rajaji considered that community, not individual, was the index of social development. Individual interests had to subserve the larger interests of community. He was nurtured in the atmosphere of liberal values of the Congress, which stood for the abolition of untouchability and for the right of Harijans to enter temples.

Several associates of Rajaji, including H.V. Hande and G. Narayanaswamy, recalled the contribution of the late leader in different fields. As premier of the erstwhile Madras Presidency, he introduced sales tax to offset loss caused by prohibition. Rajaji was for an honest and transparent administration in the country.

S.V. Raju, Trustee, Rajaji Foundation, moderated the discussion.

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