Rajiv Gandhi

Rajiv Gandhi was not connected to Mahatma Gandhi; he was a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Jawaharlal Nehru's political importance shaped his youth. After graduating from The Doon School and the University of Cambridge, Rajiv returned to India in 1966 to work as an airline pilot. He wed Sonia Maino in 1968, and the two of them had Rahul and Priyanka.

In 1980, Rajiv reluctantly entered politics following the passing of his brother Sanjay. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1981 after winning the Amethi parliamentary seat. He was instrumental in the planning of the 1982 Asian Games after being named general secretary of the Congress party.

On October 31, 1984, tragedy struck with the assassination of his mother. On the same day, Rajiv Gandhi was named prime minister. Following his mother's murder, anti-Sikh riots broke out in Delhi, posing a threat to his rule and leaving many Sikhs dead.

Controversies, including the Bhopal tragedy, the Bofors scandal, and the Shah Bano case, surfaced during his administration. His tenure was further characterized by the riots in Kashmir in 1986 and his interventions in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Specifically, the Bofors affair caused his party to suffer a significant loss in the 1989 election.

Up until his terrible assassination during the 1991 election campaign by an LTTE suicide bomber, Rajiv Gandhi served as president of the Congress. His son Rahul and daughter Priyanka both played prominent roles in Indian politics, while Sonia Gandhi led the Congress party to victory in 2004 and 2009. His legacy continued through his family. He received the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991, and the India Leadership Conclave awarded him the "Revolutionary Leader of Modern India" award in 2009.

Early Life and Education

On August 20, 1944, Rajiv Gandhi was born in Bombay, India, to Indira and Feroze Gandhi. Teachers at Shiv Niketan school described Rajiv as shy and introverted, with a strong interest in painting and drawing. He went there in 1951 alongside his younger brother Sanjay. Afterwards, he went to Dehradun's Welham Boys' School and The Doon School, where Mani Shankar Aiyar, a future member of his inner circle, was his senior. Additionally, Rajiv attended an international boarding school in Switzerland called Ecole d'Humanité. Even though Rajiv graduated from Doon School in 1961 with a second-class diploma, his academic career persisted.

Rajiv's mother and Albert D'Rozario, the scientific attaché at the Indian High Commission in London, helped him apply to Cambridge University during his last year at Doon. Rajiv was advised to study engineering, but he encountered difficulties at school before being granted conditional admission to Trinity College, Cambridge. At Trinity, he became a member of the Cambridge University Boat Club.

Rajiv had difficulties in his academic career. He left Trinity without a degree in 1965 after failing the school's final exams. D'Rozario, his mentor, had worries regarding his commitment to his studies. In 1966, Rajiv enrolled in the Imperial College London mechanical engineering course, but he dropped out. He later admitted that he was not a diligent enough student.

In 1966, Rajiv came back to India during his mother's term as prime minister. He decided to take a different route and trained as a pilot by joining the Delhi Flying Club. He started flying for Indian Airlines in 1970. Rajiv's life changed in 1968 when he married Edvige Antonia Albina Màino, who subsequently took on the name Sonia Gandhi despite his initial lack of interest in politics. Rahul Gandhi, their first child, was born in 1970. Priyanka Gandhi, their daughter, was born in 1972 and eventually married Robert Vadra.

Since their days at Delhi University, Rajiv Gandhi and actor Amitabh Bachchan have been pals. This relationship persisted, and Bachchan joined politics in the 1980s to back Rajiv Gandhi. Their relationship revealed a political and emotional entwinement that would influence both of their paths.

Entry into Politics

The unanticipated tragedy that marred Rajiv Gandhi's political career was the death of his younger brother, Sanjay Gandhi, in an airplane disaster on June 23, 1980. Rajiv was on a foreign tour in London at the time, but he hurried to Delhi after hearing the news and oversaw Sanjay's cremation. After that, Shankaracharya Swami Shri Swaroopanand paid the family a visit and counseled Rajiv to give up flying and dedicate himself to serving his country. Rajiv entered politics after being persuaded to do so by seventy Congressmen, promising to do so if it would benefit his mother. While still employed by Air India, he made his official political debut on February 16, 1981, by speaking at a national farmers' protest in Delhi.

Vasantdada Patil recommended that all members of the All-India Congress Committee approve Rajiv's candidacy for the Amethi constituency on May 4, 1981, during a meeting chaired by Indira Gandhi. Rajiv then fulfilled the necessary formalities, including filing nomination papers and paying the party membership fees, and went on to win the seat in the 1981 election with a substantial margin. On August 17, he took the oath of office as a member of parliament.

One of Rajiv's first political roles was in the Indian Youth Congress, to which he was appointed in December 1981. When he worked hard as a member of the organizing committee for the 1982 Asian Games, his organizational abilities really showed. Despite criticism, the games were regarded as a success and his influence-being the prime minister's son-was acknowledged.

On October 31, 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, causing yet another tragic incident. After that, Sikhs were the target of violent riots. Nineteen days after the assassination, Rajiv Gandhi's answer at a Boat Club rally garnered criticism. Some saw his comment, "When a mighty tree falls, it is only natural that the earth around it does shake a little," as practically justifying the rioting. Critics, such as Mani Shankar Aiyar, the leader of the Congress, questioned if it was an incitement to mass murder. It was also criticized that Rajiv was reluctant to use the army to control the crowd during the riots. His political career underwent a difficult phase during this time, which had a big impact on how people saw his leadership.

Prime Ministerial Status and Early Difficulties

The untimely death of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, served as the impetus for Rajiv Gandhi's ascension to the position of Prime Minister of India. Two Sikh bodyguards who were seeking retribution for the military action on the Golden Temple during Operation Blue Star were the killers. President Zail Singh and Sardar Buta Singh put pressure on Rajiv Gandhi to take over the role soon after his mother was killed. But his divisive comment, "When a giant tree falls, the earth below shakes," in reference to the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi, drew a lot of flak. Furthermore, a number of Congressmen were charged with planning the violence during this time.

Early Leadership and Victories as a Leader

Rajiv Gandhi called for new elections and the dissolution of Parliament as soon as he took power, which helped the Congress party win the most votes ever in the Indian Parliament's history. He rose from 40 to become India's youngest prime minister, thanks in part to his youth and the public's impression that he had no past in crooked politics. Despite being a relatively obscure political figure, Rajiv Gandhi took office as the nation's highest official on December 31, 1984.

Structure of the Cabinet and Criticisms

When Rajiv Gandhi assembled his fourteen-member cabinet, he vowed to keep a close eye on each minister's performance and dismiss any who fell short of expectations. Notably, he dismissed influential individuals, including Railway Minister A. B. A. Ghani Khan Choudhury and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Critics said that his tenure's frequent cabinet minister rotation-dubbed a "wheel of confusion" by India Today-reflected the Congress (I) Government's instability.

Controversies and the "Doon Cabinet"

Rajiv, who attended The Doon School, came under fire from the media when he appointed numerous friends from the school to positions of authority. As a result, his inner circle was dubbed the "Doon Cabinet" or the "Dosco Mafia." The complex dynamics of Indian politics were oversimplified, according to critics, by depending too much on Doon graduates for political guidance.

Important Policy and Legislative Initiatives

One of the first things Rajiv Gandhi did as prime minister was pass the anti-defection statute in January 1985. This law addressed concerns about bribery and corruption by forbidding elected officials from changing parties until the next election. His devotion to engaging the masses was demonstrated in the Congress Sandesh Yatra, which he launched in 1985, and the Bharat Yatra, which he conducted in 1990.

Divergent Opinion on the Shah Bano Case

In 1985, Shah Bano, a Muslim who had been divorced, won an award of alimony from the Supreme Court. Rajiv Gandhi succumbed to the demands of several Indian Muslims who were protesting what they saw as interference with Muslim personal law. The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act 1986 was passed by the Parliament, overturning the Supreme Court's decision and permitting maintenance payments to divorced women solely during the Islamic month of Iddah. Prominent individuals like Arif Mohammad Khan resigned in protest after this decision was condemned for caving into minority demands.

The Role of Economic Policy in Liberalizing Efforts

Even though he did not specifically include economic reforms in his 1984 election campaign, Rajiv Gandhi started a liberalization drive as soon as he became prime minister. He faced strong opposition to his attempts to liberalize trade policies, especially because of the changes that would have increased the profitability of private industry. One prominent tactic was giving corporate entities subsidies with the aim of boosting industrial production, particularly in the durable goods industry. The rural and tribal groups, on the other hand, opposed these reforms because they thought they were favoring the wealthier and urban areas.

Encouragement of Science, Technology, and Sectors
During his administration, Rajiv Gandhi expanded government funding for fields relating to science, technology, and related fields. He reduced import taxes, tariffs, and quotas as part of his economic policies, especially for technology-based industries like computers, airplanes, defense, and telecommunications. The goal of this action was to improve investment quality and accelerate growth in certain industries.
Reforms and Initiatives in Education
The National Policy on Education, unveiled by Rajiv Gandhi in 1986, sought to improve and broaden higher education offerings across the nation. In that same year, he established the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya System as part of his dedication to education. With an emphasis on rural communities, this Central government-based educational institution offered free residential education for grades six through twelve.
Development of Infrastructure and Telecommunications
The establishment of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) in 1986 was one of Rajiv Gandhi's economic initiatives, and it helped the telecoms industry grow. Furthermore, he introduced public call offices, or PCOs, which were essential in growing the phone network in rural areas. These steps were taken to close the infrastructure gap in telecommunications and enhance connection in isolated areas.
Elimination of Bureaucratic Barriers
After 1990, Rajiv Gandhi reduced the License Raj significantly in an attempt to simplify commercial activity. The goal of this action was to remove bureaucratic barriers, enabling people and companies to import and buy capital and consumer items without needless red tape. One of the main components of his economic reforms was the cutting of bureaucratic red tape, which promoted an environment that was more open and business-friendly.

Initiatives in Foreign Policy

The goal of Rajiv Gandhi's foreign policy was to establish India as a powerful, independent, and self-sufficient country on the international scene. Rejaul Karim Laskar, an expert on Indian foreign affairs, claims that Gandhi's diplomatic style was well-balanced, pushing India's interests when needed and being accommodative and conciliatory when called for.

Foreign Interventions
Gandhi sent India's navy to the Seychelles in 1986 to quell a coup attempt at President France-Albert René's request, thus avoiding the crisis in Operation Flowers are Blooming. Following Operation Rajiv, India retook the Quaid Post in the contested Siachen region in 1987. Gandhi's intervention with 1500 soldiers during the 1988 Maldives coup d'état also contributed to its suppression since he complied with President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's request.
The Promotion of Nuclear Disarmament
Rajiv Gandhi was a strong proponent of eliminating nuclear weapons from the world. During a landmark 1988 UN General Assembly speech, he presented an "Action Plan for Ushering in a Nuclear-Weapon Free & Non-Violent World Order." Gandhi highlighted worries about the possible military application of life sciences breakthroughs in addition to nuclear weapons.
Gandhi held diplomatic talks with a number of dignitaries, including Benazir Bhutto, the newly appointed prime minister of Pakistan, and Zia-ul-Haq, the president of Pakistan. The objectives of these discussions were periodic military drills and restating the Shimla agreement. Gandhi signed the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord in 1987 to address Tamil interests and envision power devolution to areas with a Tamil majority. This agreement dealt with the Sri Lankan Civil War.
Violence in Sri Lanka
Gandhi was physically attacked in Sri Lanka in 1987 while carrying out the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, as an honor guard tried to shoot him. Gandhi was not hurt because of his fast reflexes, and the guard was taken into custody. The episode brought to light the difficulties and conflicts arising from India's engagement in the area.

A combination of aggressiveness, diplomatic skill, and a dedication to world peace and disarmament could be seen in Rajiv Gandhi's foreign policy.

Governance and Regional Concerns

Across India, Rajiv Gandhi's term as prime minister was characterized by a number of projects and difficulties.

Resolution of Punjab and Counterterrorism Activities
Gandhi moved to solve the complicated issue in Punjab as soon as he gained office. Leaders of the Akali Dal who had been detained since Operation Blue Star in 1984 were freed by him. In January 1985, he and Akali leader HS Longowal signed the Rajiv-Longowal Accord in an effort to resolve the Punjab issue. But once Longowal passed away and there were more political upheavals, Punjab's law and order collapsed, forcing the President's control to be imposed in 1987. In May 1988, Gandhi initiated Operation Black Thunder, a military operation with the goal of removing weapons and shooters from the Golden Temple in Amritsar in response to the rise of extremism.
Insurgency in the Northeast and Regional Integration
Northeast India saw a rise in insurgency during Gandhi's tenure as prime minister. In retaliation, he elevated Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh from union territories to states. Gandhi was also instrumental in putting an end to the Assam Movement by signing the Assam Accord in 1985, which addressed issues related to illegal immigration.
Innovation and Technology
Gandhi sought the advice of former Rockwell International CEO Sam Pitroda, a specialist in public information infrastructure and innovation in the field of technology. Public sector telecom firms like MTNL and VSNL were formed under his direction. The foundation for advances in information technology was built by Gandhi's support for the growth of India's telephone network, the importation of fully constructed motherboards to lower computer prices, and programs like the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya System.
Political Transition, Scandals, and Controversies
Important controversies surfaced in the second half of Gandhi's presidency. During his administration, the Bofors scandal-which involved purported payments in defense contracts-came to light. V. P. Singh, his finance minister, was instrumental in revealing information on corruption. Singh resigned as a result of their relationship being even more strained after the HDW controversy. Under Singh's leadership, the opposition came together to create the Janata Dal, and the National Front alliance led by Singh won the 1989 elections. Gandhi's tenure as prime minister came to an end with this; detractors attributed it to scandals and a generally underwhelming performance.

India's late 1980s trajectory was defined by a combination of political disputes, technological developments, and regional concerns, all of which were reflected in Rajiv Gandhi's rule during this time.

Posthumous Accusations and Disputations

Black Money Allegations

Imelda Marcos and Rajiv Gandhi were among the politicians who allegedly had hidden accounts with black money, according to a study published in November 1991 in the journal Schweizer Illustrierte. Rajiv Gandhi allegedly kept 2.5 billion Swiss francs in covert Indian accounts in Switzerland, according to the story. The McKinsey information encouraged Indian opposition party leaders to bring up the subject. When Amal Datta raised the issue in the Indian Parliament in December 1991, the Speaker removed Rajiv Gandhi's name from the record. Subramanian Swamy called on the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate the suspected black money accounts of the Nehru-Gandhi family in 2011. Members of the Congress party demanded that Ram Jethmalani abandon the topic after he made a vague reference to it in the Rajya Sabha in December 2011.

Funding from the KGB Secret Police in Russia

The Hindu and Times of India published articles in 1992 claiming that Rajiv Gandhi had accepted money from the KGB secret police of the Soviet Union. These revelations were validated by the Russian government, which explained the payments away as necessary to further Soviet ideological goals. A letter signed by Viktor Chebrikov, the chief of the KGB in the 1980s, was cited in Yevgenia Albats and Catherine Fitzpatrick's 1994 book The State Within a State. The letter purportedly showed that the KGB stayed in touch with Gandhi and thanked him for his family's advantages from the business transactions of a regulated company. Money received via this avenue was allegedly utilized to help Gandhi's political organization.

Later, Albats disclosed that Chebrikov asked the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union for permission to pay Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, two of Rajiv Gandhi's family members, in December 1985. According to reports, the payments were approved by the USSR Council of Ministers in 1971 and authorized by a resolution. A CBI probe was ordered by the Delhi High Court in May 2002 after Subramanian Swamy filed a writ petition there in December 2001. But two years later, the CBI told the court that Russia would not respond to these inquiries unless a formal FIR had been filed.

Murder of Rajiv Gandhi

Rajiv Gandhi's Final Hours

On May 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi made his last public appearance while supporting a Congress candidate in Sriperumbudur, which is close to Chennai. Sadly, he was killed on the occasion. Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, a woman affiliated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), approached Gandhi at 10:10 p.m., touched his feet, and set off a device that was hidden beneath her clothing and contained 700 g of RDX explosives. Gandhi, Rajaratnam, and at least 14 other people were killed in the blast. Photographer Haribabu, a local, captured the event on film; he perished in the explosion, but his camera endured.

Repercussions and Funeral

In order to undergo post-mortem, reconstruction, and embalming Gandhi's disfigured body was transported to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. On May 24, 1991, dignitaries from almost 60 nations attended a state funeral. At Vir Bhumi, he was cremated next to the memorials of his grandparents, Jawaharlal Nehru, brother Sanjay Gandhi, and mother, Indira Gandhi.

Political and Legal Repercussions

In a ruling written by Justice K. T. Thomas, the Supreme Court upheld the theory that LTTE leader Prabhakaran killed Rajiv Gandhi out of personal enmity. Gandhi's choice to dispatch the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka and the IPKF's purported crimes against Sri Lankan Tamils were the causes of this hostility. The Jain Commission investigation implicated a number of people as suspects in the assassination, including the preacher Chandraswami.

Nalini Sriharan's Partiality

Nalini Sriharan, the lone survivor of the assassination group consisting of five members, received a life sentence. When she was first caught on June 14, 1991, she was given the death penalty together with 25 other people. But in April 2000, Nalini's sentence was reduced to life in prison. Sonia Gandhi, Rajiv's widow, stepped in and mentioned Nalini's motherly role.

Posthumous Legal Actions

Murugan and two other death row inmates, Suthendraraja and Perarivalan, had their requests for clemency denied by the Indian president in August 2011. September 9, 2011, was the day of the execution; however, the Madras High Court intervened and postponed the executions for a period of eight weeks.

The Indian Supreme Court remitted their death sentences to life in prison in February 2014. The Government of India contested the Tamil Nadu government's decision to free all seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case in front of the Supreme Court in February 2014.

Tradition and Disagreement

After Karunanidhi, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu was implicated in the assassination by the Jain Commission's findings, there was controversy. The Congress withdrew its support for the I. K. Gujral government, and new elections were held in 1998. The LTTE expressed sorrow for Gandhi's death, calling it an immense tragedy. In Delhi, where Gandhi was cremated, a memorial known as Vir Bhumi was built. In recognition of him, the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award was also established.