The Untold Story of the Assassination of Indira Gandhi: Unraveling the Threads of Tragedy

As the sun rose over the Indian capital on October 31, 1984, the nation’s political landscape would be forever altered. The assassination of Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, marked a turning point in the country’s history, setting off a series of events that would send shockwaves throughout the nation and the world. This article delves deep into the untold story of the assassination, shedding light on the intricate tapestry of events, the political dynamics, and the communal tensions that followed.

Who is Indira Gandhi?

The assassination of Indira Gandhi, a towering figure in Indian politics, unleashed a torrent of unprecedented violence and upheaval that rippled across the nation. While history records the stark facts of her demise, it is essential to explore the event in its entirety, offering a comprehensive understanding of the factors that culminated in this fateful moment.

A formidable leader born into the Nehru-Gandhi lineage on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad; born into a family deeply entrenched in the struggle for India’s independence, Indira Gandhi was a central figure in Indian politics. Indira Nehru Gandhi was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress, who played a pivotal role in the country’s fight against British colonial rule. Carrying forward the legacy of her father, she emerged as a leader of will and force. As a key player in the Indian National Congress, Gandhi navigated through the tumultuous waters of a nation in transition, asserting her authority during times of socio-political upheaval.

She joined the Indian National Congress in 1938 and became an integral part of the party’s activities. In 1966, she ascended to the position of Prime Minister, making history as the first woman to hold this prestigious office in India. Her leadership style was characterized by a strong will and determination, traits that she inherited from her father. This ascent marked the beginning of her impactful political career.

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Factors that led to the Assassination

The assassination of Indira Gandhi was a complex event with many factors. The events leading to the assassination were shaped by a series of complex factors. Here are some of the most significant factors that led to the assassination of Indira Gandhi:

Operation Blue Star: In 1982, Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star, a military operation to flush out Sikh separatists from the Golden Temple, a Sikh holy site in Amritsar. The operation was controversial, and it led to the deaths of 1,220 Sikhs. Many Sikhs felt that Operation Blue Star was an attack on their faith and their community. They saw it as a betrayal by Indira Gandhi, whom they had once seen as a protector of Sikhs.

The death of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a Sikh separatist leader who was killed in the Golden Temple during Operation Blue Star. His death further inflamed Sikh anger against Indira Gandhi. Bhindranwale was a charismatic leader who had gained a large following among Sikhs. His death was seen as martyrdom by many Sikhs, and it only served to further radicalize the Sikh separatist movement.

The perception that Indira Gandhi was sympathetic to Hindu nationalists: Indira Gandhi was seen by some Sikhs as being sympathetic to Hindu nationalists, who were often hostile to Sikhs. This perception was furthered by the fact that her son, Rajiv Gandhi, was married to a Hindu woman. Many Sikhs felt that Indira Gandhi was not doing enough to protect their interests and that she was instead catering to the Hindu majority.

The spread of misinformation and rumors: In the days leading up to the assassination, there was a great deal of misinformation and rumors circulating about Indira Gandhi. Some of these rumors claimed that she was planning to attack the Golden Temple again, or that she was planning to launch a crackdown on Sikhs. These rumors further inflamed Sikh anger against Indira Gandhi.

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It is impossible to say for sure what the single most important factor was that led to Indira Gandhi’s assassination. However, it is clear that a combination of factors, including Operation Blue Star, the death of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, the perception that Indira Gandhi was sympathetic to Hindu nationalists, and the spread of misinformation and rumors, all played a role in her death.

The Assassination of Indira Gandhi: Unfolding Tragedy

On the morning of October 31, 1984, a tragedy unfolded that would leave an indelible mark on India’s history – the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This event was a significant turning point in the country’s political landscape, leading to a series of events that would have profound consequences for the Sikh community and the nation as a whole.

The words she had spoken just the day prior during a public rally in Bhubaneswar seemed almost prophetic. Indira Gandhi, on that day, had been reading from a prepared speech. However, deviating from the written script for a brief moment, she spoke about the ominous possibility of a violent fate awaiting her.

With a sense of foreboding, she expressed, “I am here today, I may not be here tomorrow. Nobody knows how many attempts have been made to shoot me. I do not care whether I live or die. I have lived a long life and am proud to have devoted it to the service of my people.”

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As night fell on October 30, Indira Gandhi returned to New Delhi after a taxing day. Despite her exhaustion, sleep eluded her that night. Her daughter-in-law, Sonia Gandhi, later recounted in her book that Indira Gandhi remained awake until the early hours of the morning, searching for her asthma medicine.

Indira Gandhi’s concern for her own health was evident as she instructed Sonia to call her if any assistance was needed. Even in those quiet hours of the night, her thoughts were consumed by the gravity of her situation.

The events that would soon unfold, leading to her tragic assassination on October 31, 1984, gave an eerie weight to her words, capturing the sense of unease that surrounded her in those final moments.

October 31, 1984: The last day of Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi prepared herself for an interview with the British actor Peter Ustinov for Irish television, commencing at 7:30 in the morning. Her breakfast consisted of toast, orange juice, eggs, and cereals. She adorned herself in a saffron saree, accentuated by a black border, an attire chosen for the documentary shoot. Prior to the shoot, she had meticulously applied makeup.

In the morning, Indira kissed her grandchildren goodbye before they left for school. Priyanka noticed that her grandmother held her longer than usual. Indira then moved to Rahul, who was barely 14. She used to share subjects about which she often avoided confiding in Rajiv or Sonia. She had asked young Rahul to “take charge” and not to cry in the event of her death. This was not the first time Indira had spoken about death to Rahul. A few days earlier, she had told him about funeral arrangements and told him she had lived her life.

By the time Dr. KP Mathur arrived at her residence on 1 Safdarjung Road, she had already completed her breakfast. Dr. Mathur, responsible for her daily health check, ensured her well-being each morning. Meanwhile, Peter Ustinov awaited Indira Gandhi at the Prime Minister’s Office, located adjacent to her residence on 1 Akbar Road.

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At 9:10 a.m., Indira Gandhi embarked on her journey to the PMO. She was walking through the garden of the Prime Minister’s Residence at No. 1 Safdarjung Road in New Delhi towards the neighboring 1 Akbar Road office, accompanied by constable Narayan Singh, personal security officer Rameshwar Dayal, and personal secretary RK Dhawan.

As she approached the entrance of 1 Akbar Road, a tragic event unfolded. Engaged in conversation with RK Dhawan, Indira Gandhi was accompanied by constable Narayan Singh, who held a black umbrella to shield her from the early winter sun. Passing through a wicket gate guarded by her personal bodyguards, Satwant and Beant Singh, a sudden and shocking turn of events occurred, and she was confronted by her own protectors. Beant Singh swiftly discharged his revolver, directing his aim toward her. The initial bullet struck her abdomen with precision, followed by two more that found their way into her chest. In an additional series of harrowing moments, Satwant Singh, another assailant, unleashed a hail of bullets from his carbine, piercing her body relentlessly. Beant Singh fired three rounds from his .38 (9.7 mm) revolver into her abdomen, while Satwant subsequently fired 30 rounds from his Sterling sub-machine gun after she had fallen to the ground. The magnitude of this tragedy was both abrupt and devastating.

Chaos and Confusion

The immediate aftermath of the assassination was a scene of chaos and confusion. Indira Gandhi’s daughter-in-law, Sonia Gandhi, heard the gunshots and rushed to her side, crying out for her mother. As the chaos unfolded, her aides, RK Dhawan and a police officer named Dinesh Bhatt, swiftly transported her to her ambassador car. Makhanlal Fotedar, her political secretary, was present as well. Together, they rushed Indira Gandhi to AIIMS hospital, only to discover that the medical facility was unprepared for the emergency due to a lack of prior information.

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Indira Gandhi arrived at AIIMS at 9:32 am, where doctors fought valiantly for hours, administering 80 bottles of blood, to save her life. Despite being shot over 30 times, her heart remained resilient. Despite the desperate efforts of medical personnel at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indira Gandhi’s life could not be saved, and at 2:23 p.m., she was declared deceased.

On the morning of November 1, Gandhi’s body was taken in a gun carriage through Delhi roads to Teen Murti Bhavan, where her father stayed and where she lay in state.

Aftermath of the Assassination

The news of Indira Gandhi’s assassination spread rapidly, sending shockwaves across the nation. The fact that her own Sikh bodyguards had carried out the act added an element of betrayal to the tragedy. The Indian government issued a national period of mourning from November 1 to November 12, during which flags were flown at half-mast. This solemn observance was marked by the cancellation of entertainment and cultural events, and the closure of offices for several days. The international community condemned the assassination, with world leaders expressing their shock and sadness. This act of violence against a sitting Prime Minister garnered widespread attention and scrutiny, both within and outside India. In a show of solidarity and respect, Pakistan also declared three days of mourning, and Bulgaria declared a day of national mourning. These gestures reflected the profound impact of the event and the collective sense of loss experienced by nations across the world.

The assassination marked the beginning of a period of turmoil, and the Sikh community, which had already been facing a turbulent period due to the aftermath of Operation Blue Star and growing separatist sentiments, found itself in a precarious position. Communal violence erupted in various parts of the country, particularly targeting the Sikh community. The tragic events that followed, including the 1984 Sikh riots, underscored the deep-seated tensions and communal divisions within Indian society. The aftermath of the assassination continues to be a subject of intense debate and examination, as efforts to address issues of justice, accountability, and communal harmony remain ongoing.

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The aftermath of Gandhi’s assassination was a dark chapter in India’s history. The streets of Delhi and other parts of the country were marred by violence, arson, and targeted attacks against Sikhs. The Sikh community, already scarred by Operation Blue Star, now faced a wave of brutality that shook its very foundation. The response from the Indian government was scrutinized both domestically and internationally, with Human Rights Watch documenting the horrors of the violence. The aftermath of this tragic event was marked by several significant developments:

Following the assassination of Indira Gandhi, a series of organized pogroms known as the 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots erupted in various parts of India, targeting the Sikh community including Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar. These riots were characterized by ethnic and religious persecution, mass murder, mass rape, arson, looting, and other acts of violence against Sikhs. The government estimate puts the death toll at around 3,350, while independent sources suggest a higher number of deaths, ranging from 8,000 to 17,000 Sikhs. In Delhi alone, more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in revenge attacks. The violence and the orchestrated reprisals led to Sikhs facing physical harm, property damage, and displacement, causing significant trauma and upheaval within the community.

In the aftermath of the riots, so-called efforts were made to hold individuals accountable for their role in inciting violence. Sajjan Kumar, a former politician and key leader of the Congress Party, was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in inciting anti-Sikh violence. He was found guilty of orchestrating the killing of five Sikhs in West Delhi in the days following Indira Gandhi’s assassination.

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Indira Gandhi’s assassination also had political ramifications. Rajiv Gandhi, Indira’s son, was sworn in as Prime Minister on the same day as her assassination. He assumed leadership amid a period of upheaval and instability, inheriting the challenges posed by the riots and the need to restore order and harmony.

What happened to the Killers of Indira Gandhi?

A Special Sessions Court convicted a Sikh bodyguard of assassinating Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October 1984 and found two co-defendants guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. The government said Sikhs conspired to kill Gandhi to avenge the army’s assault on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest Sikh shrine, in June 1984, which killed up to 1,220 people. But the defense alleged Gandhi was killed as a result of a plot that involved her son and successor, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi because she was losing popularity. He offered no evidence to back his claim during the trial.

However, after the eight-month trial without a jury, the judge said that the prosecutors had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Satwant Singh shot her to death as she walked in her compound garden on Oct. 31, 1984, and that Kehar Singh and Balbir Singh were involved with him in a conspiracy. The court sentenced all three men to death.

The assassination of Indira Gandhi and the subsequent events left a lasting impact on Indian society and its collective memory. It highlighted the complex interplay of political, ethnic, and religious dynamics in the country and underscored the need to address communal tensions and ensure justice for victims.

The assassination of Indira Gandhi goes beyond historical events, touching the very essence of India’s soul. It stands as a poignant reminder of the delicate nature of peace, the far-reaching implications of political choices, and the formidable strength that unity can muster in times of adversity. As India marches forward on its journey, it carries with it the profound lessons of its past. These lessons form the cornerstone of a collective commitment—a commitment to forge a nation where the shadows of such tragedies are replaced by an unwavering dedication to justice, equality, and shared humanity. Just as the nation moves ahead, it carries the torch of its history, illuminating the path toward a future built on the values that ensure a brighter and more harmonious tomorrow.