Rajiv Gandhi: A Reluctant Politician, A Transformative Leader
On 21 May 1991, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. He was a man born into a family deeply entrenched in Indian politics — his great-grandfather, grandfather, father, mother, and brother were all political figures — yet he himself never wished to enter politics.
Rajiv Gandhi was the grandson of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and the elder son of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Feroze Gandhi. His younger brother, Sanjay Gandhi, was already active in politics and served as a Member of Parliament from Amethi. Rajiv, on the other hand, was content with his job as a professional pilot.
Early Life and Education
Born on 20 August 1944 in Bombay, Rajiv Gandhi had little interest in politics. In 1966, he joined Indian Airlines as a pilot. He received his early education at Welham Boys' School and later at The Doon School in Dehradun. For higher studies, he went to the United Kingdom, where he met Edvige Antonia Albina Maino, an Italian student. They got married in 1968, and she became known as Sonia Gandhi. The couple had two children: Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
Entry into Politics
After Indira Gandhi lost power in 1977, Rajiv went abroad for a while. However, destiny had other plans. In 1980, following the tragic death of his brother Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crash, Rajiv joined politics to support his grieving mother. He won the by-election from Amethi and became a Member of Parliament.
Becoming Prime Minister
After Indira Gandhi’s assassination on 31 October 1984, Rajiv Gandhi was swiftly appointed as Prime Minister of India. In the December 1984 elections, the Congress Party secured a massive victory, winning 401 out of 542 seats — the highest ever. It was also the first election where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) participated, winning only 2 seats.
Contributions and Reforms
Rajiv Gandhi's tenure is remembered for ushering in the era of computerization and telecommunications in India. His government reduced the voting age from 21 to 18, aiming to increase youth participation in democracy. He believed that the development of villages was key to India's progress and launched the Panchayati Raj system, bringing governance to the grassroots.
In 1986, he announced the National Education Policy, leading to the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country.
Controversies
Despite his achievements, Rajiv Gandhi's term was marred by controversies. The Shah Bano case was a major issue where he reversed a Supreme Court judgment to appease the Muslim community, causing national debate.
Another major scandal was the Bofors scam, where it was alleged that Indian officials received kickbacks in a defense deal with Sweden. The exposure led to massive political fallout. His Defense Minister V.P. Singh resigned and eventually led the opposition to form a new party, Janata Dal, which significantly contributed to the downfall of Rajiv’s government in 1989.
The Sri Lanka Conflict and Assassination
Rajiv Gandhi faced criticism for sending the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka to mediate in the civil conflict. This move angered the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Tamil militant organization.
On 21 May 1991, while campaigning in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, Rajiv Gandhi was approached by a woman named Dhanu, who was associated with the LTTE. As she bent to touch his feet, she detonated a belt packed with RDX explosives, killing Rajiv Gandhi and 14 others on the spot. The attack shocked the entire nation and left many injured.
Rajiv Gandhi died at the young age of 46, making him the youngest Prime Minister in India’s history. His legacy is marked by both significant achievements and complex controversies.
Had he been alive today, he would have been 81 years old.
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