Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the last Governor General of India, was, in the words of his grandson Rajmohan Gandhi, a ‘prophetic political figure’ who predicted in 1916 the success of Gandhi’s satyagraha in India. A true follower of Gandhi, C.R., or Rajaji (as he was called), gave up a lucrative practice as a lawyer in 1919 to fight for the country’s independence. He explained Gandhi’s political moves to the Indian public in speeches, and in articles in Gandhi’s Young India. Gandhi spoke of Rajaji as one of satyagraha’s finest exponents and also as his ‘conscience-keeper’, a remark that underscored their personal relationship.
Selected Works of C. Rajagopalachari, Vol. III, 1923–25 is the third in a series of ten volumes being published in association with the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library on the writings of Rajaji, covering the period between 1907 and 1972. This volume begins with Rajaji’s efforts to educate the people on the significance of the Council-boycott resolution passed at the Gaya Congress in December 1922. A section of the Congress was in favour of Council-entry and was eager to contest the elections to legislatures with the formation of Swaraj Party in 1923. Others including Rajajiopted for complete boycott and wanted Congress to focus on the constructive programme—propagation of khadi, the removal of untouchability and prohibition. In addition to his consistent criticism of the Council-entry programme, the book also features Rajaji’s endeavour to spread the message of the constructive programme, and the setting up of Gandhi Ashram at Tiruchengodu, Tamil Nadu, in February 1925 and his subsequent withdrawal from public life. The documents in this volume also reflect Rajaji’s views on a wide range of subjects, including the treatment of political prisoners in Indian jails and the position of Indians in Kenya and South Africa.
This volume is a collector’s edition that will be useful for students, researchers and academics studying the Indian national movement in all its facets.
Mahesh Rangarajan is Director, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML), Teen Murti House, New Delhi.
N. Balakrishnan is former Deputy Director, NMML.
Deepa Bhatnagar is Head, Research and Publications Division and NMML Archives.
List of Illustrations
Preface
1. Speech on Gaya Congress 9 January 1923
2. The Congress Week: Editor’s Notes 11 January 1923
3. The Death Waggon in Court: Article 11 January 1923
4. Party Warfare: Article 11 January 1923
5. Shall We Retrace? Article 11 January 1923
6. Congress Notes 11 January 1923
7. Editor’s Notes 11 January 1923
8. Editor’s Notes (Extracts) 18 January 1923
9. Civil Disobedience: Article 18 January 1923
10. My Guilt: Editorial 18 January 1923
11. Editor’s Notes (Extracts) 25 January 1923
12. Work: Editorial 25 January 1923
13. In Defence of Khaddar: Editorial 25 January 1923
14. Appeal to Tamil Nadu for Congress Work 29 January 1923
15. Editor’s Notes 1 February 1923
16. The Lesson of Germany: Editorial 1 February 1923
17. Release of Prisoners: Editorial 1 February 1923
18. Speech at Madras 6 February 1923
19. Volunteers for What? Editorial 8 February 1923
20. Editor’s Notes 15 February 1923
21. Compromise: Editorial 15 February 1923
22. Problems of Swaraj: Editorial 15 February 1923
23. The Object of Collections: Article 15 February 1923
24. Editor’s Notes 22 February 1923
25. Robbery of Words: Editorial 22 February 1923
26. Non-Cooperation and “Cooperative” Organisation: Editorial 22 February 1923
27. Editor’s Notes 1 March 1923
28. Give Battle this Year: Editorial 1 March 1923
29. Intensive Work in Select Places: Editorial 1 March 1923
30. Speech at Bhusaval 8 March 1923
31. Editor’s Notes 8 March 1923
32. The Finances of India: Editorial 8 March 1923
33. Speech at Nagpur 11 March 1923
34. Editor’s Notes 15 March 1923
35. Speech at Patna 21 March 1923
36. Editor’s Note 22 March 1923
37. The Agra Conversions: Editorial 22 March 1923
38. Speech at Amritsar 29 March 1923
39. The Workers’ Secret Struggle: Editorial 29 March 1923
40. Tour of East Bengal and Bihar: Editorial 29 March 1923
41. Speech at Sargodha 30 March 1923
42. Letter to Pyarelal 30 March 1923
43. Speech at Lahore 31 March 1923
44. The Punjab: Editorial 5 April 1923
45. Appeal to the Nation 7 April 1923
46. Appeal to Workers of Tamil Nadu 7 April 1923
47. Speech at Karachi 7 April 1923
48. Editor’s Notes 12 April 1923
49. Speech at Ahmedabad 12 April 1923
50. Editor’s Notes 19 April 1923
51. “Unworthy Squabbles”: Speech at Ajmer (Extracts) 19 April 1923
52. Gurukulvas: Editorial 19 April 1923
53. Editor’s Notes 26 April 1923
54. Objections: Editorial 26 April 1923
55. Dangers Ahead: Editorial 26 April 1923
56. Interview to a representative of Hindu 2 May 1923
57. The Coming Slaughter: Editorial 3 May 1923
58. Appeal to send Progress Reports 3 May 1923
59. The Coming Fight: Editorial 3 May 1923
60. Speech at a Public Meeting 5 May 1923
61. Speech on the Congress and Native States 8 May 1923
62. Telegram to Motilal Nehru 15 May 1923
63. Editor’s Note 17 May 1923
64. An Explanation: Article 17 May 1923
65. The Suspension Solution: Editorial 17 May 1923
66. Statement to Press on Congress Policy 19 May 1923
67. Statement on AICC meeting at Bombay 19 May 1923
68. Editor’s Notes 24 May 1923
69. Letter to Pyarelal 26 May 1923
70. Speech at Nagpur 31 May 1923
71. We Cannot Submit: Editorial 31 May 1923
72. Editor’s Notes 31 May 1923
73. The Gaya Programme: Article 31 May 1923
74. Speech at Dharwar 3 June 1923
75. Editor’s Notes 7 June 1923
76. What a Pity: Editorial 7 June 1923
77. The Real Question: Editorial 7 June 1923
78. A Real Conversation: Editorial 7 June 1923
79. Editor’s Note 14 June 1923
80. Interview to a representative of Hindu 19 June 1923
81. Go to Nagpur: Editorial 21 June 1923
82. Defensive Propaganda: Editorial Note 21 June 1923
83. Interview to a representative of Hindu 26 June 1923
84. Editor’s Notes 28 June 1923
85. Message to the Tamil prisoners in Nagpur Jail 29 June 1923
86. Editor’s Notes 5 July 1923
87. The Pretence of law: Article 5 July 1923
88. The All India Congress Committee: Note 5 July 1923
89. The Flag Calls You: Editorial 5 July 1923
90. Don’t Kill Him: Editorial 5 July 1923
91. More Vagrants: Article 5 July 1923
92. The Old Argument: Article 5 July 1923
93. Deshbandhu’s Activities: Article 5 July 1923
94. Will It Abdicate: Note 12 July 1923
95. The Octopus: Editorial 12 July 1923
96. The Observer’s Questions: Editorial 12 July 1923
97. What is Your Programme: Editorial 12 July 1923
98. Interview to Voice of India 19 July 1923
99. Editor’s Notes 19 July 1923
100. The Bombay Betrayal: Article 19 July 1923
101. Avaricious of Power: Editorial 19 July 1923
102. About Flag Prisoners: Article 19 July 1923
103. The Feast of Union: Comment 2 August 1923
104. Editor’s Note 2 August 1923
105. The Father of Non-Cooperation: Article 2 August 1923
106. Is not the Life More than Meat? Article 2 August 1923
107. The Test of Empire: Editorial 2 August 1923
108. Suspension of all Conversions: Editorial 9 August 1923
109. Editor’s Notes 16 August 1923
110. Furlough: Editorial 16 August 1923
111. The Law Postponed: Editorial 16 August 1923
112. The Dance of Double Falsehood: Editorial 16 August 1923
113. Reductio Ad Absurdum: Comment 16 August 1923
114. Monday: Editorial 23 August 1923
115. Editor’s Notes 23 August 1923
116. Dr. Varadarajulu’s Case: Editorial 23 August 1923
117. The Nagpur Triumph: Editorial 23 August 1923
118. The Electric Fan: Editorial 23 August 1923
119. Unfair Criticisms: Editorial 23 August 1923
120. Editor’s Notes 30 August 1923
121. Dharamayuddha: Editorial 30 August 1923
122. Editor’s Notes (Extracts) 6 September 1923
123. Mr. Vallabhbhai’s Statement: Comment 6 September 1923
124. A Prison Official’s Confessions: Article 6 September 1923
125. Letter to C. Vijiaraghavachariar 9 September 1923
126. Telegram to Mahadev Desai 11 September 1923
127. Interview on Flag Satyagraha and Political Situation 12 September 1923
128. Editor’s Notes (Extracts) 13 September 1923
129. Shame: Article 13 September 1923
130. A Common Programme: Editorial 13 September 1923
131. Letter to C. Vijiaraghavachariar 16 September 1923
132. Editor’s Notes 20 September 1923
133. Sudarshan: Editorial 20 September 1923
134. Letter to General Secretary, Indian National Congress, Bezwada 16 October 1923
135. An Appeal to Tamil Nadu 18 October 1923
136. Presidential Address at Karnataka Provincial Conference, Bijapur 19 November 1923
137. Questions Answered: Editorial 6 December 1923
138. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 7 December 1923
139. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 8 December 1923
140. Letter to Mahadev Desai 11 December 1923
141. Convocation Message, Gujarat Vidyapith 11 December 1923
142. Editor’s Notes 13 December 1923
143. Released to Die: Editorial 13 December 1923
144. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 13 December 1923
145. Letter to General Secretary, A.I.C.C. 16 December 1923
146. The Creed: Editorial 20 December 1923
147. Comments on Lala Lajpat Rai’s Speech 20 December 1923
148. The Tyranny in Africa: Comment 20 December 1923
149. Reply to Questions at Cocanada 26 December 1923
150. Speech on National Pact, Cocanada Congress 29 December 1923
151. Compromise Resolution on Non-cooperation, Cocanada Congress 30 December 1923
152. Reply to Debate on the Compromise Resolution, Cocanada Congress 31 December 1923
153. Appeal to Tamil Nadu Congress Workers 5 January 1924
154. Explanation of Cocanada Resolution 5 January 1924
155. Appeal for Khadi 9 January 1924
156. The Great Test: Article 10 January 1924
157. A Correction: Statement 10 January 1924
158. Te Deum for Borsad: Article 10 January 1924
159. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 12 January 1924
160. Have you seen the half-starved peasants of our villages? Notice 12 January 1924
161. Telegram to Ramjee Kalyanjee 13 January 1924
162. Appeal to adopt Charkha 15 January 1924
163. Appeal to have Charkha in all Homes 16 January 1924
164. The African Cross: Article 17 January 1924
165. Prepare for Bapu’s Release: Editorial 17 January 1924
166. God’s Family: Editorial 17 January 1924
167. A Beautiful Address: Comment 17 January 1924
168. What is the Cocanada Decision: Notice 17 January 1924
169. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 24 January 1924
170. Mahatmaji’s Prison-Chela: Comment 24 January 1924
171. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 26 January 1924
172. The New Khadi Board: Article 31 January 1924
173. Payment to National Workers: Comment 31 January 1924
174. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 6 February 1924
175. A Great Crime: Editorial 7 February 1924
176. Save Your Cotton: Comment 14 February 1924
177. The Khadi Board in Bullock Carts: Editorial 21 February 1924
178. Letter to the General Secretary, Indian National Congress 1 March 1924
179. Letter to Mahadev Desai 7 March 1924
180. Telegram to Maulana Mohamed Ali 7 March 1924
181. A Condition of Congress Membership: Article 13 March 1924
182. Letter to Mahadev Desai 15 March 1924
183. Letter to the General Secretary, Indian National Congress, Allahabad 23 March 1924
184. Letter to Utkal Congress Committee 23 March 1924
185. Appeal for Khadi Work in Tamil Nadu 25 March 1924
186. Message to School and College Students 26 March 1924
187. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 28 March 1924
188. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 29 March 1924
189. Letter to Mahadev Desai 2 April 1924
190. Appeal for Funds for Khaddar 2 April 1924
191. Vacation Thoughts: Appeal to students 3 April 1924
192. Appeal for Khaddar 5 April 1924
193. Letter to Assistant Secretary, Kerala Provincial Congress Committee 7 April 1924
194. Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 12 April 1924
195. Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 14 April 1924
196. Letter to Mahadev Desai 17 April 1924
197. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 17 April 1924
198. Presidential Address at Mayavaram Taluq Conference 19 April 1924
199. Speech on Mirasdars’ Struggle 19 April 1924
200. Concluding Address at Mayavaram Taluq Conference 21 April 1924
201. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 22 April 1924
202. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 1 May 1924
203. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 2 May 1924
204. Letter to Pyarelal 6 May 1924
205. Views on Government’s Attitude towards Anti-Drink Campaign 7 May 1924
206. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 8 May 1924
207. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 12 May 1924
208. Appeal to support Anti-Drink Campaign 20 May 1924
209. Views on Khadi Work in Kanur Colony 26 May 1924
210. Speech on Vaikkom Struggle 27 May 1924
211. Appeal to support Vaikkom Satyagraha 2 June 1924
212. Speech on the Ethics of Satyagraha (Extracts) 4 June 1924
213. Telegram on Vaikkom Satyagraha 9 June 1924
214. Statement regarding Vaikkom Satyagraha 9 June 1924
215. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 13 June 1924
216. Appeal for Funds for Vaikkom Satyagraha 13 June 1924
217. Interview regarding Vaikkom Satyagraha 14 June 1924
218. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 16 June 1924
219. Statement on Vaikkom Satyagraha 25 June 1924
220. Statement on Barbarities at Vaikkom 1 July 1924
221. Message for Conference of Kongu Vellalas 12 July 1924
222. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 24 July 1924
223. Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 29 July 1924
224. Statement on treatment of E. V. Ramaswami Naicker in Jail 27 August 1924
225. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 29 August 1924
226. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 29 August 1924
227. Statement on Satyagraha Campaigns 1 September 1924
228. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 13 September 1924
229. Interview to a representative of Hindu 14 September 1924
230. Telegram to Maulana Mohamed Ali 18 September 1924
231. Speech on the Significance of Mahatma Gandhi’s Fast (Extracts) 23 September 1924
232. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 26 September 1924
233. Statement on Mahatma Gandhi’s Fast 26 September 1924
234. Telegram to Swami Anandanand 29 September 1924
235. Message on Mahatma Gandhi’s Health 1 October 1924
236. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 6 October 1924
237. Telegram on end of Mahatma Gandhi’s Fast 8 October 1924
238. Is it not Politics: Article 9 October 1924
239. Toleration: Article 16 October 1924
240. Letter to Mahadev Desai 16 October 1924
241. Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 22 October 1924
242. Letter to C.Vijiaraghavachariar 27 November 1924
243. Letter to Brij Krishna Chandiwala 30 November 1924
244. Letter to S. Satyamurti 30 November 1924
245. Belgaum Congress: Article [January 1925]
246. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 8 January 1925
247. Letter to Mahadev Desai 8 January 1925
248. Letter to Mahadev Desai 10 January 1925
249. Confession of Faith: Article 15 January 1925
250. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 15 January 1925
251. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 24 January 1925
252. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 30 January 1925
253. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 16 February 1925
254. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 4 March 1925
255. Letter to Mahadev Desai 26 March 1925
256. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 8 April 1925
257. Letter to Dr. P. Palpu 27 April 1925
258. Interview on resignation from the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee 30 April 1925
259. Interview on Gurukulam Controversy 11 May 1925
260. Presidential Address at Gobichettipalayam Taluk Political Conference (Extracts)
15 May 1925
261. Letter to Mahadev Desai 26 May 1925
262. Introduction: Satyagrahi Maryada 26 May 1925
263. Letter to Mahadev Desai 18 June 1925
264. Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 20 June 1925
265. A Village Experiment: Pudupalayam: Article 25 June 1925
266. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 19 July 1925
267. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 20 July 1925
268. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 23 July 1925
269. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 14 August 1925
270. Lokamanya Tilak: Reminiscences [August] 1925
271. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 14 September 1925
272. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 15 September 1925
273. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 29 September 1925
274. An Appeal to buy Khaddar 2 October 1925
275. Statement on South Africa Day in India 10 October 1925
276. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 21 October 1925
277. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 2 December 1925
278. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 10 December 1925
279. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 12 December 1925
280. Appeal to Nationalists 18 December 1925
281. Address at Chittoor 22 December 1925
282. Letter to Mahadev Desai 24 December 1925
283. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 24 December 1925
Appendices
Appendix I: Resolution moved by C. Rajagopalchari on Special Congress Session 4 August 1923
Appendix II: Report of the Presidential Address, Sholavandan 14 September 1924
Appendix III: Joint Statements
1. Proceedings of the Congress Working Committee 13 and 17 April 1923
2. Letter of resignation by the Congress Working Committee members 26 May 1923
3. Reply of the Congress Working Committee members 27 May 1923
4. Meeting for organising Gandhi Seva Sangh 13 July 1923
5. Telegram to Devadas Gandhi 20 January 1924
6. Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 5 February 1924
7. All-India Deshbandhu Memorial 6 August 1925
Appendix IV: Miscellaneous Items
1. Volunteer Pledge, Ahmedabad Congress 28 December 1921
2. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s Statement on Nagpur Satyagraha 23 August 1923
3. Letter from Mahatma Gandhi 22 March 1924
4. The Agreement and the Spinning Franchise 26 December 1924
5. Letter from Mahatma Gandhi 16 July 1925
Chronology (January 1923–December 1925)
Index