Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised the unveiling of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari’s bust at Rashtrapati Bhavan by the Modi government. Tharoor, in a post on X, said he had long admired Rajaji’s values, including liberal economics, social justice, faith in Indian civilization, and respect for constitutional freedoms. The bust replaced the statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens, making Rajagopalachari the first and only Indian Governor-General of independent India to be honoured in this way. PM Narendra Modi called it an act of “mental decolonisation,” aiming to recognise leaders who shaped India’s destiny. The ceremony featured Vande Mataram and was attended by senior ministers, including JP Nadda, S. Jaishankar, and members of Rajaji’s family.