Nation remembers former PM Indira Gandhi on her 34th death anniversary

The nation is today paying homage to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 34th death anniversary.

There is much to discuss Indira Gandhi personal life and her whims and fancies, also one must take note of her firm resolve to tackle Pakistan in the sternest way with the victorious saga of Bangladesh liberation.

Indira Gandhi was the daughter of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and was a well-known leader all over the world. She is remembered for her leadership and takes credit for introducing the Green Revolution in India. Her strong academic background helped her hold various key positions.

She was the Chairperson of the National Integration Council of A.I.C.C. and the President of the All India Youth Congress in 1956. She became the President of Indian National Congress (INC) in 1959 and served till 1960 and then again from January 1978.

She served as Prime Minister from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984, making her the second longest-serving Indian Prime Minister after her father.

The 1971 Indo-Pakistan war was the direct after-effect of the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan, which was brought by the Awami League led by Mujibar Rahman against the military brutality launched by the Pakistan President Yahya Khan.

The military specifically targeted the Hindu minority population and committed atrocious acts of torture throughout the country. As a result, about 10 million East Pakistani citizens fled the country and sought refuge in India. The overwhelming refugee situation prompted Indira Gandhi to support Awami League’s struggle for freedom against West Pakistan.

India provided logistical support and also sent troops to fight against West Pakistan. The war concluded on 16 December 1971 in Dhaka, after the Eastern Command of the Pakistani Armed Forces signed the Instrument of Surrender and that marked the birth of the new nation of Bangladesh. India’s triumph in the war of 1971 against Pakistan enhanced the popularity of Indira Gandhi as a shrewd political leader.

Gandhi was widely criticised for declaring the historic moment of Emergency in India in 1975 for a period of 21 months. This period was often referred to as the ‘dark age of independent India.’

Operation Blue Star is also evidence of the Indira Gandhi’s firm mindset. Operation Blue Star was an Indian military operation which occurred between 1 June and 8 June 1984, ordered by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in order to establish control over the Harmandir Sahib Complex.

The operation resulted in the death of Bhindranwale and a high casualty figure among the army, civilians and militants. The assault on Golden Temple was heavily criticised by Sikhs worldwide and had led to several Sikhs resigning from administrative positions.

On 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi’s bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh fired a total of 31 bullets on Indira Gandhi from their service weapons as a revenge of the Golden Temple assault at her residence – 1, Safdarjung Road in New Delhi and she succumbed to her injuries.

Indira had many achievements to her name including the Bharat Ratna award.

Also Read: Rare pictures of Indira Gandhi