Rajiv Gandhi, the sixth Prime Minister of India, is remembered as a modernizer who ushered India into the digital age. He was a visionary leader who strived to make India technologically advanced but was also marred by controversies during his tenure. His political journey, though short, left an indelible mark on the country.
Early
Life and Career
Family
and Education
Rajiv Gandhi was born on August
20, 1944, in Mumbai (then Bombay) to Indira Gandhi and Feroze
Gandhi, two prominent figures in Indian politics.
- His mother, Indira Gandhi, later became the Prime
Minister of India, and his grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, was the
first Prime Minister of independent India.
- Rajiv attended the prestigious Doon School in Dehradun and later pursued higher education at Trinity College, Cambridge, and Imperial College, London, where he studied engineering but did not complete his degree.
A
Career in Aviation
At first, Rajiv took a non-political route, in contrast to his political
relatives. After completing his aviation training, he began flying commercially
for Indian Airlines in 1970.
.jpg "Rajiv Gandhi: A Visionary Leader and Controversial Figure in Indian Politics")
Following his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi's tragic death in 1980, he shifted
from his apolitical position.
After Sanjay Gandhi passed away, Rajiv was convinced to go into politics by his
mother, Indira Gandhi, and prominent Congressmen.
He ran for and won the Amethi parliamentary seat in Uttar Pradesh in 1981,
which Sanjay had previously held.
It was believed that Rajiv's arrival was an effort to preserve the Nehru-Gandhi
family's political clout in India.
Active Political Participation Rajiv soon established himself as a close
advisor and confidant of Indira Gandhi.
After being named the Congress Party's general secretary, he was instrumental
in setting up the party apparatus.
His gentle manner and contemporary perspective won over the younger generation,
giving the Congress Party a new basis. 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Post Indira Gandhi's Death
The assassination of Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, by
her Sikh bodyguards following Operation Blue Star plunged the nation into
chaos.
- Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister hours after her death.
- The assassination triggered widespread anti-Sikh riots, resulting in thousands of deaths.
- Rajiv faced criticism for his alleged failure to control the violence, especially after his controversial statement: “When a big tree falls, the earth shakes.”
Prime Minister of India
Rajiv Gandhi became the youngest Prime Minister of India at the age of 40, following the Congress Party's landslide victory in the 1984 general elections, where they secured over 400 seats in the Lok Sabha.
Prime Minister Roles
Cabinet Ministers
Rajiv brought fresh faces into his cabinet, often referred to as the Doon Cabinet or Dosco Mafia, due to the number of ministers from the Doon School.
- His team focused on modernization, science, and technology.
Anti-Defection Law
One of his significant legislative achievements was the introduction of the Anti-Defection Law in 1985, aimed at curbing political instability caused by defections.
1985 Congress Sandesh Yatra
Rajiv launched the Sandesh Yatra to reconnect the Congress Party with grassroots workers and the public.
Mass Connect Programs Through Bharat Yatra
To strengthen his connection with the common people, Rajiv initiated the Bharat Yatra, traveling extensively across India.
Economic Policy
Rajiv's economic policies focused on liberalization and modernization:
- Computerization and Telecom Revolution: Rajiv is credited with laying the foundation for India's IT and telecom boom.
- Technology Missions: He launched programs to promote advancements in water, health, literacy, and technology.
- Public Sector Reforms: Rajiv attempted to reduce bureaucratic red tape and encourage foreign investment.
Foreign Policy
Rajiv’s foreign policy emphasized India’s role in global politics:
- He strengthened ties with Russia while maintaining a non-aligned stance.
- Rajiv supported Sri Lanka by sending the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) during the Sri Lankan Civil War, a move that backfired politically and militarily.
Bofors Scandal, HDW Scandal, and 1989 Election Defeat
Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure was marred by allegations of corruption:
Bofors Scandal
The Bofors arms deal controversy in 1987 accused top Congress leaders, including Rajiv, of accepting bribes from a Swedish company.
- The scandal severely dented his clean image and became a rallying point for the opposition.
HDW Submarine Scandal
Another controversy involved the purchase of submarines from the German company HDW, with allegations of kickbacks.
.jpg "Rajiv Gandhi: A Visionary Leader and Controversial Figure in Indian Politics")
1989 Election Defeat
The accumulation of scandals, along with rising discontent among voters, led to Congress losing the 1989 general elections, and Rajiv stepped down as Prime Minister.
Assassination
On May 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi
was assassinated by an LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) suicide
bomber during an election rally in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
- His assassination was in retaliation for India’s
involvement in Sri Lanka’s civil conflict through the IPKF.
- The nation mourned his loss, and he was posthumously
awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor.
Institutions
Named After Gandhi
In honor of his contributions,
several institutions and landmarks bear Rajiv Gandhi’s name:
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad
- Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab
- Rajiv Gandhi IT Parks
across India
Legacy
Rajiv Gandhi's legacy is a complex
mix of achievements and controversies:
- Modernization Vision:
He is credited with initiating India’s journey toward becoming an IT and
telecom hub.
- Controversies:
His tenure saw significant scandals that tarnished his image and impacted
Congress' political fortunes.
- Youth Icon:
Even after his death, Rajiv remains an enduring symbol of hope and change
for many Indians.
The difficulties of negotiating a quickly changing India are summed up in Rajiv Gandhi's life and political career. Despite his brief reign, his influence is still felt in the country's political discourse and policies.
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