Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to rid India of the “psychological impact” of the British Raj by 2035, with the removal of British architect Edwin Lutyens’ bust from the presidential palace representing the latest step in an accelerating campaign to eliminate colonial-era symbols.
The statue removal, railway uniform bans, naval insignia changes, renaming of major thoroughfares and introduction of Hindi-language medical degrees form part of Modi’s Five Pledges unveiled on India’s Independence Day in 2022. The Prime Minister vowed to eradicate India’s “mindset of slavery” within a decade whilst reducing dependence on adopting other countries’ educational, economic and governmental systems.
Modi stated in his monthly radio address: “Unfortunately, even after independence, statues of British administrators were allowed to remain in Rashtrapati Bhavan, but those of the nation’s greatest sons were denied space. A statue of British architect Edwin Lutyens also stood in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Now, this statue will be replaced by a statue of Rajaji.”
C. Rajagopalachari, who served as India’s first Governor-General after independence in 1947, will have his statue unveiled Monday in the Rashtrapati Bhavan central courtyard where Lutyens’ bust previously stood. The replacement symbolizes Modi’s drive to honour Indian leaders over British administrators at the presidential residence.
In 2022, Modi introduced a new ensign for the Indian navy replacing the St George’s Cross, describing the change as removing “the remaining traces of slavery and a colonial past.” He renamed Raj Path, translating to King’s Way, as Kartavya Path, meaning Path of Duty.
Last month, railway staff were banned from wearing the traditional “prince suit,” a black jacket with Chinese collar introduced by the British in the 19th century and modelled on western railway uniforms. Some universities began teaching medical degrees in Hindi, eliminating the requirement to learn English for medical qualifications.
Lutyens served as chief architect tasked with redesigning Delhi after George V declared it the imperial capital of British India in 1911. He drew heavily on traditional Indian and Mughal styles in shaping the new administrative district, with his legacy remaining evident in New Delhi’s central zone still commonly called “Lutyens’ Delhi.”
His significant works included Viceroy’s House, designed alongside Herbert Baker, which became the President’s official residence renamed Rashtrapati Bhavan in 1950. The Lutyens Bungalow Zone spans nearly 7,000 acres of residences built for senior officials and ministers, listed among the World Monuments Fund’s 100 Most Endangered Sites in 2002.
Lutyens also designed India Gate commemorating Indian soldiers who died in the First World War, alongside The Cenotaph in London. Despite the statue removal, his architectural contributions to Delhi remain physically intact.
Modi stated: “Today, the country is leaving behind the symbols of slavery and has begun to value symbols related to Indian culture.” The Prime Minister has pledged to revitalize the country’s ancient traditions to create greater cultural pride as part of the broader decolonization campaign.
The systematic removal of colonial symbols represents one element of Modi’s five pledges, with the 2035 deadline providing a timeline for completing the transformation. The campaign continues with further changes expected across government institutions, public spaces and cultural practices over the coming decade as India works toward Modi’s stated goal of eliminating colonial psychological impacts.
