SELECTED WORKS OF C. RAJAGOPALACHARI VOL. V

The present volume is the fifth in a series of ten volumes of the Selected Works of C. Rajagopalachari being published in association with Nehru Memorial Museum and Library.

This volume traces Rajaji’s political journey from his release from imprisonment in 1931 to his eventual inability to take up the Presidentship of the Indian National Congress in 1935, as he recovered from ill-health following a series of arrests. By this time, the civil disobedience had been called off and the Congress was looking towards representation in legislatures. Rajaji’s extensive campaigns in Madras helped the national party to secure a resounding victory in the Central Legislative Assembly elections.

The letters, articles, statements, speeches and interviews that comprise this volume throw further light on the finer details of Rajaji’s convictions and his political career. The Poona Pact and temple entry satyagraha are given particular emphasis, reinforcing his concern with and investment in the upliftment of untouchables. Resolute in his involvement with civil resistance, Rajaji continued to engage with colonial authorities during the Swadeshi and boycott movement.

Similarly, prohibition of consumption of all sorts of alcoholic substances and Hindi prachar constituted a significant part of Rajaji’s discourse and activism during the period under discussion. The volume concludes with his reflections on the Gandhian era and on Congress’ work towards attaining Swaraj.

This volume is a collector’s edition that will be a useful tool of reference on the life of Rajaji. It narrates a very important phase in the history of India’s struggle for freedom, making it a reference for scholars, researchers, academics, and lay readers studying the Indian national movement.