JNROnline Journal Journal of Natural Remedies ISSN: 2320-3358 (e) Vol. 21, No. 3(S2),(2020) ISSN: 0972-5547(p) RAJAJI’S ROLE IN INDIAN FREEDOM STRUGGLE Dr. M. GnanaOslin Assistant Professor Department of History, D.G.Govt. Arts College for Women, Mayiladuthurai ABSTRACT Rajagopalachariar popularly known as Rajaji or C.R.Rajaji was born on 8th Dec 1878 at Thorappalli in Salem Dist. Rajaji was one among the selected band of leaders who participated in the freedom movement of India. His emergence at various stages of the freedom movement, his dedication to the national cause and his untiring struggle against the British rule earned him a significant place in the history of the freedom movement. His stature as a front-rank national leader is a tribute to his devoted service for the cause of the nation for almost four decades and his whole career was a record of self-confidence, courage, fearlessness and innovations based on Gandhian concepts.Rajaji was one man among all the lieutenants of Gandhiji who followed the Gandhian path of life in thought, word and action. He was a true follower of Gandhiji. Rajaji had fully devoted himself to the cause of the national movement from 1920 to 1937. He involved himself in Non Co –operation Movement, The constructive programme of the congress, The Khadar Movement, Anti- Untouchability Campaign,Vedarnayam Salt Satyagraha ,Individual Satyagraha and Temple Entry Movement. He was opposed and did not participate in the Quit India Movement of 1942. His individual spirit, service and sacrifice encouraged his followers. Rajaji represented fundamentally the highest type of the mind of India. He was the true disciple of Gandhi and the doyen among India's fighters for freedom and the dauntless champion of the downtrodden millions of the land. Introduction: Rajagopalachariar popularly known as Rajaji or C.R.Rajaji was born on 8th Dec 1878 at Thorappalliin Salem Dist. Rajaji was one among the selected band of leaders who participated in the freedom movement of India. His emergence at various stages of the freedom movement, his dedication to the national cause and his untiring struggle against the British rule earned him a significant place in the history of the freedom movement. His stature as a front-rank national leader is a tribute to his devoted service for the cause of the nation for almost four decades and his whole career was a record of self-confidence, courage, fearlessness and innovations based on Gandhian concepts.Rajaji was one man among all the lieutenants of Gandhiji who followed the Gandhian path of life in thought, word and action. He was a true follower of Gandhiji. 1.Khilafat Agitation, 1919-1920: Tamilnadu did not lag behind in extending its enthusiastic support to the Khilafat agitation. C.Rajagopalachari earned the esteem of the Muslims by his active involvement in the agitation. In the provincial Congress Conference he moved a resolution demanding the release of Ali Brothers who had courted arrest for spear-heading the Khilafat Movement. He also mobilized the support of the Hindus to observe the Khilafat Day on 17th Oct1919.Khilafat Committees was formed throughout Tamilnadu. On 20 April 1920, Khilafat Conference was held at Madras under the President ship of MaulanaShaukat Ali. C.Rajagopalachari, KasturiRangaIyengar and T. Prakasam addressed the well attendedconference. Another such conference was held at Erode which was presided over by Ali brothers. Gandhi toured Tamilnadu in August 1920 seeking support to the Khilafat Movement. 2. C.Rajaji as a Editor of ‘Young India’: C.Rajaji became the editor of the Magazine, ‘Young India’ when Gandhiji was imprisoned in Erawada Jail in Mumbai. When Rajaji went to meet him, he saw the improper treatment of the British towards him. He was not given a bed, a magazine etc. Rajaji wanted to publish it in the newspapers. But Gandhiji was not favoring it. But C.R said that the British officials failed to protect the great leader of the country who is more important than the Captain 52 Journal of Natural Remedies Vol. 21, No. 3(S2), (2020) of the Army, Napoleon or Kaiser William. This made the newspapers to write about the struggle for life in the jail. Rajaji was able to print the ‘Young India’ at Ahmedabad by working at Salem. In Young India it was published like this, “C.R’s guidance and political assistance is very much needed to lead India-ship in the right direction. Through his works as a true Gandhian leader, when Gandhiji was in Jail, he propagated and promoted the Khadhi movement, Hindu-Muslim unity, Prohibition and also against Untouchability throughout the parts of south India. 3. Rajaji’s role in Opposition of Rowlatt Act: 1919 The British politics over the notorious Rowlatt Bill brought Rajaji to limelight in the Madras Presidency. Rajaji made a speech at Tiruchirappalli on January 16th, 1919, and he felt that the Rowlatt Act would lead to the permanent disablement to the national life, and he complained that many leaders did not feel that danger. For Rajaji, the Rowlatt Bill was "serious enough for an anxious examination of the principles and prosperity of opposing it with entire soul. His speech had a very decisive and significant impact among the people. In 1919 Gandhi was deserted by the moderates and nationalists and he desperately needed a loyal lieutenant in Tamil Nadu. Rajaji invited Gandhi to Madras through KasturiRangaIyengar, who was then President of the Local Anti - Rowlatt Committee. Rajaji thought that only Gandhiji could possibly understand the southern peoples’ spirit of resistance against the Rowlatt Act. Gandhiji came to Madras with Mahadev Desai, who was his personal secretary on 18 March l919 and he stayed as a guest of Rajaji. At that time Mahadev Desai said to Gandhiji about Rajaji “you should cultivate this man”. On 21 March l9l9, Rajaji arranged a meeting in his house to form a satyagraha Sabha. At that time, Rajaji explained Gandhi's satyagraha and its policies. Gandhi decided to start a hartal for the first time on April 6, 1919. Rajaji toured the South and explained about the hartal to the People. The response was successful and on 6th April Madras City observed the hartal peacefully. It was the first organized mass expression against the British Government which brought about the real national awakening among the people. 4. Rajaji’s role in Non-Co-operation Movement: 1920 Ganhiji launched the Non-Cooperation movement on 1 August 1920. Rajaji's contribution as a fervent nationalist and champion of freedom made him as one of the foremost leaders who gave shape and direction to the Non- Cooperation Movement in Tamil Nadu. Rajaji had emerged as a lieutenant of Gandhi in the South. Rajaji and others accepted the non-cooperation programems of boycotting the elections, courts of law, educational institutions, resignation from the governmental positions and the surrender of official titles and honours. When the Non- Cooperation Movement stirred up the whole country, In the Madras presidency, Rajaji was one of the first men to respond to Gandhi’s call to give up his lucrative practice of law. It created an unparalleled scene of fervor, devotion and sacrifice. Rajaji toured many parts of the Madras Presidency and he was responsible in piloting Gandhi's non-violent, non-cooperation as the instrument of national liberation. Rajaji asked the public “not to fall into the trap set by repression and commit violence”. In deed, inspired by Rajaji , many lawyers gave up their profession and joined the Non-Cooperation Movement in the Madras Presidency. Rajaji's initiative, the SwadhinataVidyalaya (Independence College) was established to help the students who sacrificed their studies for the Non-Cooperation Movement to continue their education. 5. Rajaji’s role in Gandhi Ashram at Thiruchengode: 1925 In 1920’s Thiruchengode become famous in political geography, it served as the head quarters for Rajaji for all political and social works. In 1923, there was a difference of opinion between Pro-changers & No-Changers. Rajaji sided with Gandhi opposed council entry and like to implement Gandhi constructive programme. He likes to propagate the principles of Gandhi so he named it as Gandhi Ashram.Rajaji started Gandhi Ashram at Pudupalayam 7 miles from Tiruchengodu.It is a dry area rocky terrine. This site of Ashram provided by MittadarRathnasabapathyGounder, It was inaugurated in Feb 6th 1925 by E.V.R, with the aim to propagating Khaddar & against drink and untouchability. 53 Journal of Natural Remedies Vol. 21, No. 3(S2), (2020) The Ashram published 2 magazines Vimochan (liberation) in Tamil. &Prohibition in English. The Ashram had a foot –wear unit where shoes of different patterns were made, the Ashram foot wear was sturdy &durable called as Ashram shoes. Under Rajaji’s inspiration and guidance new activities were started, they are keeping Honey Bee, Soap Making, Shoes making, conducting night school for adults, Primary schools for village children, Improving village sanitation, Khaddar movement& propagating against prohibition. The ashramites and the villagers lived as the members of one family cooking & sharing the food together. The dispensary also setup at Ashram to provide medical relief to the ashramities as well as villages. Rajaji worked against drunkards and untouchability in the locality. The volunteers in the Ashram were trained in enforcing prohibition and removal of untouchability. 6. Khadi Movement of Rajaji to against British rule: During the struggle for Independence in India, Khadar was the symbol of Swaraj. Khadar was an instrument meant opposing the use of foreign clothes. Khadi was considered as a part time job during rainy season and full time employment during famine. Following Gandhiji, Rajaji gave much importance to the growth of cottage industry than heavy industries.