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About the BookAbout the AuthorTable of Contents

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

This volume brings out Rajaji’s active engagement with electoral arrangements and campaigns in the south. Rajaji led the Congress to an overwhelming victory in 1937, and was subsequently chosen as leader of the newly elected Congress contingent.

He argued in favour of autonomy for the provincial government and carried forward various measures as Premier of Madras: propagation of the Hindustani language and the use of khadi; the prohibition of alcohol; temple-entry for the Untouchables; and his response to the demand for a separate Andhra province.

Vol. VI also carries abstracts of the budgets that Rajaji presented, which highlight his remarkable expertise, even in financial matters. It is a collector’s edition that will be a useful tool of reference on the life of Rajaji, and narrates a very important phase in the history of India’s struggle for freedom.

Ravi K. Mishra is Deputy Director, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi.

Narendra Shukla is Head, Research and Publications Division, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, New Delhi.

List of Illustration

Preface

1. Letter to Govind Ballabh Pant – 6 January 1936

2. Letter to Amal Home – 12 January 1936

3. The Harijan Problem: Article – 12 January 1936

4. Is Congress a Political Party?: Article – January 1936

5. Letter to Dr Rajendra Prasad – 7 February 1936

6. Letter to Dr Rajendra Prasad – 24 February 1936

7. Tribute to Kamala Nehru – 28 February 1936

8. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj – 29 February 1936

9. Price of Khadi: An Appeal – 26 March 1936

10. Literacy Franchise Bungle – 30 May 1936

11. Letter to J. B. Kripalani – 1 June 1936

12. Best Course for the Government: Suggestion – 3 June 1936

13. Letter to K. M. Munshi – 5 June 1936

14. Nibbling at the Problem – 6 June 1936

15. The Enrolment Bungle – June 1936

16. Letter to N. K. Srinivasaraghavan – 15 June 1936

17. The Enrolment Bungle – 15 June 1936

18. Letter to N. K. Srinivasaraghavan – 18 June 1936

19. Interview to the United Press – June 1936

20. Office Issue: An Interview – 7 July 1936

21. Statement on Resignation from the Congress 11 August 1936

22. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi – 11 August 1936

23. Letter to Bhulabhai Jivanji Desai – 22 August 1936

24. Views on Trichinopoly Controversy – 23 August 1936

25. Letter to Dr Rajendra Prasad – 7 September 1936

26. Letter to M. S. Narayana Rao – 5 October 1936

27. A Message of Congratulation – 13 November 1936

28. Letter to K. M. Munshi – 18 November 1936

29. Letter to Dr Rajendra Prasad – 23 November 1936

30. The Proclamation at Work: Statement – 1 December 1936

31. Stand by the Congress: An Appeal – 19 January 1937

32. Election Manifestoes : An Appeal – 25 January 1937

33. Letter to Devadas Gandhi – 25 January 1937

34. Election Manifestoes: An Appeal – 2 February 1937

35. Plea for Supporting Congress Harijan Candidates – 2 February 1937

36. Views on C. S. Ratnasabhapathi Mudaliar's Withdrawal from Assembly Elections – 3 February 1937

37. Reply to Sanatanists regarding Congress and Religion – 8 February 1937

38. Letter to Devadas Gandhi – 12 February 1937

39. Congress Election Campaign: Review – 12 February 1937

40. Vote for India's Freedom: An Appeal – 13 February 1937

41. Letter to Devadas Gandhi – 20 February 1937

42. Letter to K. M. Munshi – 2 March 1937

43. Work in the Councils: Interview – 2 March 1937

44. Striking Response to Call: An Appeal – 2 March 1937

45. Letter to Dr Rajendra Prasad – 8 March 1937

46. Appeal for the Task Ahead – 10 March 1937

47. Interview on Implications of Decision – 22 March 1937

48. Telegram to Dr Rajendra Prasad – 25 March 1937

49. Statement on Formation of a Government – 27 March 1937

50. Act Already Wrecked: Statement – 31 March 1937

51. End the Impasse: Reply to K. V. R. Reddi Swami Naidu – 3 April 1937

52. Danger of Flouting Public Opinion: A Warning – 6 April 1937

53. Congress Propaganda among Masses: Advice to Workers – 10 April 1937

54. Letter to Ghanshyam Das Birla – 13 April 1937

55. Progress Towards Real Democracy: An Interview – 14 April 1937

56. End of Congress Session: An Interview – 14 April 1937

57. Statement on Ministers in the Constitution – 18 April 1937

58. Public Address on Government of India Act – 21 April 1937

59. Reply to European Association – 23 April 1937

60. Interview on Allahabad Decision – 3 May 1937

61. Letter to T. S. Ramaswamy Iyer – 3 May 1937

62. Letter to the Returning Officer and Collector of Madras – 3 May 1937

63. A Fraud on the Act Rule: Views on Interim Ministries – 4 May 1937

64. Letter to Dr Rajendra Prasad – 10 May 1937

65. Interview to the Associated Press – 11 May 1937

66. Appeal to All India Spinners' Association – 11 May 1937

67. Speech on the Indictment of Interim Ministers – 11 May 1937

68. Letter to A. Lakshmi Narayana Reddiar – 11 May 1937

69. Letter to the Secretary, Madras Provincial Varnashrama Swaraj Sangha – 12 May 1937

70. Letter to Ghanshyam Das Birla – 13 May 1937

71. Letter to the President, Sylhet Union – 13 May 1937

72. Dismissal or Resignation: Statement – 14 May 1937

73. Reply to R. Srinivasan's Statement – 17 May 1937

74. Letter to G. F. Andrews – 17 May 1937

75. Letter to Commissioner of Police, Madras – 17 May 1937

76. Letter to the General Secretary, A.I.C.C. – 19 May 1937

77. Letter to Devadas Gandhi – 20 May 1937

78. Circular to all Taluk and District Congress Committees – 20 May 1937

79. Congress and Office Acceptance: Statement – 22 May 1937

80. Letter to A. Lakshmi Narayana Reddiar – 22 May 1937

81. Statement on Kottapattam Incident – 24 May 1937

82. Appeal for Peace – 25 May 1937

83. Statement to the Press – 26 May 1937

84. Letter to Arthur Alfred Hayles – 26 May 1937

85. Letter to J. B. Kripalani – 3 June 1937

86. Letter to Purushotamadas Tandon – 4 June 1937 113

87. Statement to Madras Mail – 4 June 1937

88. Statement to The Hindu – 5 June 1937

89. Letter to the Editor, Silver Screen – 5 June 1937

90. Letter to Pattabhi Sitaramayya – 7 June 1937

91. Essentials of Hinduism: Article – 8 June 1937

92. Letter to J. B. Kripalani – 11 June 1937

93. The Congress and Harijans: Rejoinder – 14 June 1937

94. Harijan Uplift – 15 June 1937

95. Letter Regarding Congress Presidents in Local Bodies – 15 June 1937

96. Statement to the Press – 17 June 1937

97. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj – 17 June 1937

98. Letter to the Secretary, Punjab Assembly Congress Party – 17 June 1937

99. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj – 18 June 1937

100. Issue of Forged Letter to Andhra Leaders – 18 June 1937

101. Inaugural Address at Andhra Provincial Conference – 20 June 1937

102. Letter to V. Natesa Pandaram – 25 June 1937

103. Statement on Restraint Order of Yusuf Jaffar Meherally – 29 June 1937

104. Letter to V. Natesa Pandaram – 1 July 1937

105. Appeal to Services – 11 July 1937

106. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 11 July 1937

107. Letter to Dr T. S. S. Rajan – 11 July 1937

108. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 15 July 1937

109. Speech in the Madras Assembly – 15 July 1937

110. Letter to Ahmad Thambi Muhammad Mohideen Maracair – 17 July 1937

111. Make the Villages Smile: Statement – 19 July 1937

112. Letter to M. R. Masani – 20 July 1937

113. Letter to A. Muthukumaraswamy – 29 July 1937

114. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 3 August 1937

115. Letter to K. A. Nachiappa Gounder – 3 August 1937

116. Letter to K. M. Munshi – 5 August 1937

117. Letter to B. G. Kher – 6 August 1937

118. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 8 August 1937

119. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 11 August 1937

120. Letter to Arthur Alfred Hayles – 21 August 1937

121. Letter to Dr Zakir Husain – 25 August 1937

122. Letter to Cecil Fabian Brackenbury – 26 August 1937

123. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 28 August 1937

124. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 29 August 1937

125. Madras Budget Speech: 1937 – 1 September 1937

126. Letter to E. Raghavendra Rao – 3 September 1937

127. Reply to the Discussions on Budget in the Madras Assembly – 4 September 1937

128. Standard of Life in India: Appeal – 4 September 1937

129. Speech on Education – 5 September 1937

130. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 7 September 1937

131. Letter to V. S. Srinivasa Sastri – 9 September 1937

132. Speech on Fight Against Drink – 14 September 1937

133. Reply in the Madras Assembly – 18 September 1937

134. Reply on Separation of Judiciary and Executive – 21 September 1937

135. Letter to K. A. Nachiappa Gounder – 21 September 1937

136. Letter to Vishwapal Sharma – 21 September 1937

137. Motion on Grant for Police – 22 September 1937

138. Speech on the Issues of Harijans – 27 September 1937

139. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 28 September 1937

140. Statement on M. C. Rajah and Basheer Ahmed Sayeed's Resolutions – 29 September 1937

141. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 6 October 1937

142. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 9 October 1937

143. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 12 October 1937

144. Letter to John Guthrie Tait – 12 October 1937

145. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 9 November 1937

146. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 13 November 1937

147. Telegram to Jawaharlal Nehru – 16 November 1937

148. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 17 November 1937

149. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 26 November 1937

150. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 30 November 1937

151. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 8 December 1937

152. Letter to J. B. L. Munro – 11 January 1938

153. Telegram to the Viceroy of India – 20 February 1938

154. Letter to Ghanshyam Das Birla – 25 February 1938

155. Madras Budget Speech: 1938 – 1 March 1938

156. Letter to Gulzarilal Nanda – 1 March 1938

157. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 8 March 1938

158. Letter to the Press – 10 March 1938

159. Letter to Subhas Chandra Bose – 13 March 1938

160. Letter to K. M. Munshi – 13 March 1938

161. Letter to P. James Grigg – 2 April 1938

162. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 7 April 1938

163. Letter to D. V. Lonkar – 13 April 1938

164. Letter to Hamid Ali Khan – 17 April 1938

165. Letter to J. B. Kripalani – 17 April 1938

166. Letter to N. B. Khare – 28 April 1938

167. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi – 24 May 1938

168. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 28 May 1938

169. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi – 29 May 1938

170. Introduction of Hindustani: Reply to Critics – 9 June 1938

171. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi – 9 June 1938

172. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 10 June 1938

173. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 10 June 1938

174. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 12 June 1938

175. Difficulties of Administration: Tribute to Services – 12 June 1938

176. The Miracle of Radio – 16 June 1938

177. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 17 June 1938

178. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 17 June 1938

179. Speech on the Need for Learning Hindustani – 18 June 1938

180. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 22 June 1938

181. Memorandum to the Viceroy of India – 23 June 1938

182. Appeal to Bank Depositors – 24 June 1938

183. Message to Women – 28 June 1938

184. Letter to the Chief Director of the Travancore Bank – 29 June 1938

185. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi – 7 July 1938

186. Speech at Pamidi – 11 July 1938

187. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 13 July 1938

188. Speech on Andhra Province Issue – 16 July 1938

189. Speech at Ellore – 23 July 1938

190. Appeal for Unity – 24 July 1938

191. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 25 July 1938

192. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 19 August 1938

193. Letter to Dr Rajendra Prasad – 26 August 1938

194. Letter to Devadas Gandhi – 29 August 1938

195. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 2 September 1938

196. Letter to K. Natarajan – 12 September 1938

197. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 25 September 1938

198. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 25 September 1938

199. Speech on Prohibition – 1 October 1938

200. Speech on the Role of Policemen – 15 October 1938

201. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi – 17 October 1938

202. Speech on the Development of Large-Scale Industries – 24 October 1938

203. Letter to Hamid Ali Khan – 27 October 1938

204. Letter to Subhas Chandra Bose – 9 November 1938

205. Letter to Sarat Chandra Bose – 18 November 1938

206. Circular Letter – 21 November 1938

207. Letter to J. B. Kripalani – 7 December 1938

208. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 16 December 1938

209. Letter to Lord Zetland – 21 December 1938

210. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi – 28 December 1938

211. True Refinement – December 1938

212. Letter to the General Secretary, Madras Press Labour Union – 7 January 1939

213. This is for Bapu’s Consumption – 8 January 1939

214. Street Caricatures: Statement – 20 January 1939

215. Speech on Estates Land Report – 26 January 1939

216. Letter to Subhas Chandra Bose – 29 January 1939

217. Remarks on Law and Religion – 31 January 1939

218. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 1 February 1939

219. Letter to the Governor of Madras – 2 February 1939

220. Speech at the Opening of Cancer Hospital in Madras – 2 February 1939

221. Telegram to the Viceroy of India – 10 February 1939

222. Letter to Maniben Patel – 18 February 1939

223. Letter to S. Satyamurti – 18 February 1939

224. Government’s Labour Policy: Advice to Workmen – 18 February 1939

225. Article on Technical Financial Phrase – 23 February 1939

226. Discussion on Budget: 1939 – 24 February 1939

227. Telegram to the Viceroy of India – 5 March 1939

228. Tried & Trusted Leader: Appeal – 9 March 1939

229. Reply to the Debates in the Legislative Assembly – 20 March 1939

230. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 24 March 1939

231. In Defence of Hindustani in Schools – 25 March 1939 39

232. Letter to S. Satyamurti – 28 March 1939

233. Letter to Lord Linlithgow – 5 April 1939

234. Rajaji’s Rejoinder – 10 April 1939

235. Letter to Subhas Chandra Bose – 11 April 1939

236. Situation Quiet in Vellore: Statement – 10 May 1939

237. Reply on Madras Sales Tax Bill – 17 May 1939

238. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 25 May 1939

239. Letter to B. G. Kher – 26 May 1939

240. Letter to J. B. Kripalani – 28 May 1939

241. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 2 June 1939

242. Do Not be Misled by Propaganda on Sales Tax – 2 June 1939

243. Letter to Akbar Hydari – 10 June 1939

244. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 10 June 1939

245. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 11 June 1939

246. Letter to Ghanshyam Singh Gupta – 12 June 1939

247. Need for Trust in Congress: An Appeal – 18 June 1939

248. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 1 July 1939

249. Letter to the Office Secretary, Punjab Provincial Congress Committee – 6 July 1939

250. Letter to V. S. R. M. Valliappa Chettiar – 15 July 1939

251. Letter to Akbar Hydari – 17 July 1939

252. Letter to Abdul Hameed Khan – 19 July 1939

253. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 25 July 1939

254. Letter to Akbar Hydari – 29 July 1939

255. Letter to Abdul Hameed Khan – 1 August 1939

256. Letter to Ghanshyam Singh Gupta – 5 August 1939

257. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 16 August 1939

258. Letter to Vallabhbhai Patel – 16 August 1939

259. Appeal for South Arcot Election – 30 August 1939

260. Sympathy for Poland – 18 September 1939

261. Letter to Devadas Gandhi – 20 September 1939

262. Letter to John Francis Ashley Erskine – 29 September 1939

263. Prohibition in North Arcot – 3 October 1939

264. War Resolution – 20 October 1939

265. Britain’s Want of Trust – 23 October 1939

266. Speech on the War Resolution – 26 October 1939

267. Resignation of the Congress Ministry of Madras Province – 27 October 1939

268. Letter to Mahadev Desai – 28 October 1939

269. Letter to Dr Rajendra Prasad – 1 November 1939

270. Speech on Civic Amenities in Madras – 1 November 1939

271. Declaration About India – 15 November 1939

272. Indian Demand for Freedom – 27 November 1939

273. Impasse Cannot Last Long: Interview – 30 November 1939

274. Letter to Devadas Gandhi – 5 December 1939

275. Rajaji Refutes Charges against Congress Ministries – 10 December 1939

276. Fraught with Mischief – 14 December 1939

277. Call for Constituent Assembly – 15 December 1939

278. Reply to Maurice Linford Gwyer – 25 December 1939

279. Letter to J. B. L. Munro – 25 December 1939 Appendices

Appendix I

1. Congress Proceedings in Hindi: Resolution moved by Rajaji at the All India Hindi Sahitya Sammelan – 29 March 1937

2. Rajaji’s Letter to Prime Ministers of Five Congress Provinces – 3 September 1937

3. Telegram to Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel – 1 November 1937

Appendix II: Joint Statements, Letters and Appeals

1. Hindi Prachar Sabha – 10 April 1936

2. Kamala Nehru Memorial – 14 April 1936

3. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru – 29 June 1936

4. Aftermath of Cyclone – 4 November 1936

5. Joint Note of Rajaji and V. V. Giri – 3 April 1939

Appendix III: Reference Items

1. Gazette of India – 28 July 1934

2. Allahabad Resolution – 26-29 April 1937

3. Proposal by the Tamil Nad Provincial Congress Committee – 19 May 1937

4. Place of Film in National Life – 12 June 1937

5. Extracts from the Madras Prohibition Act, 1937 – [November] 1937

6. Note on Sergeants and Sub-Inspectors of Police – 13 March 1938

7. Congress Work in Andhradesa – 7 June 1938

8. Forcible Feeding of Hunger Strikers – 6 July 1938

9. Draft Government Order – [April 1939]

10. Note – 10 April 1939

11. Satyagraha is Kisans’ Birthright – 8 June 1939

12. Resolution on War as passed by the Madras Legislative Assembly – 26 October 1939

Appendix IV: Miscellaneous Items

1. An Imaginary Conversation between Rajaji and Akbar Hydari – 27 June 1939

2. Bills Passed by the Madras Legislature 1937–39

Chronology (1936–1939)

Index