Indira Gandhi: Death, Iron Lady of India, Biography and Legacy

PWOnlyIAS October 30, 2023 06:23 16459 0

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Context: October 31st marks the 39th death Anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi: Death, Iron Lady of India, Biography and Legacy

Context: October 31st marks the 39th death Anniversary of the former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi’s Death: Transformative Legacy and Tragic Assassination

Indira Gandhi, was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by two of her bodyguards in response to the military operation conducted at the Golden Temple, known as Operation Blue Star.
Indira Gandhi’s leadership transformed India’s socio-political and economic landscape, and she is considered one of India’s strongest and most influential leaders.

Indira Gandhi: The Iron Lady Who Shaped India’s Destiny

Birth Date: Indira Gandhi, born on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad, was the only child of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, and Kamala Nehru, a freedom fighter.
Education: She attended various schools in India and abroad, including Shantiniketan, where she was named Priyadarshini by Rabindranath Tagore.
Personal Life: In 1942, she married Feroze Gandhi and had two sons, Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi.
Political Endeavour:
- President of the INC: Indira Gandhi began her political career assisting her father and later served as the president of the Indian National Congress in 1960.
- Tenure as Prime Minister: After her father’s death, she became the Prime Minister of India in 1966 and remained in power until 1977.
  - During her tenure, she implemented significant reforms such as bank nationalization and abolition of royal families’ privy purses.
- Emergency: In 1975, she declared a state of Emergency in response to her conviction for an election offence, leading to widespread protests.
- She called for elections in 1977 and lost, but she returned to power in 1980.
- Liberation of Bangladesh: Gandhi supported the liberation movement in East Pakistan (resulting in the creation of Bangladesh) and led India to victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan War.
- Operation Blue Star: In 1984, she ordered Operation Blue Star to remove extremists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which resulted in her assassination by her bodyguards who sought revenge for the bloodshed at Amritsar.
  - The Harmandir Sahib was then under the control of extremists led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who wanted an independent state for Sikhs.
- Gandhi’s legacy is marked by her determination, political acumen, and significant contributions to India’s progress.

Political Dynamics in Indira Gandhi’s Era: Transformative Shifts and Challenges in Indian Politics

Congress Rift: Indira Gandhi’s Rise and the Syndicate’s Opposition
- The rise of Indira Gandhi: Indira Gandhi emerged as a powerful leader within the Congress party.
- The Syndicate’s opposition: The Syndicate, a group of old-guard Congress leaders, opposed Indira Gandhi’s policies.
- The split in the Congress party: The Congress party split into two factions: Congress (R) led by Indira Gandhi and Congress (O) led by the Syndicate.
Political Transition: From Congress Dominance to a Diverse Multi-Party System
- Decline of Congress dominance: The Congress party’s dominance declined due to internal problems and the rise of opposition parties.
- Rise of regional parties: Regional parties gained prominence, reflecting the growing aspirations of different regions.
- Era of coalition governments: The 1967 elections marked the beginning of the era of coalition governments in India.
Challenges of Defections: Political Instability and the Anti-Defection Law
- Defections and instability: Frequent defections of legislators led to instability in state governments.
- Anti-defection law: The anti-defection law was passed in 1985 to curb the practice of defections.
JP Narayan’s Total Revolution: Catalyst for Political Upheaval in India
- JP Movement: Jayaprakash Narayan launched the Total Revolution movement, calling for social, economic, and political change.
- Impact of the JP Movement: The JP Movement contributed to the imposition of the Emergency and the rise of the Janata government.

Basis of Classification	National Emergency	Financial Emergency
Grounds of Declaration	War, external aggression. Armed rebellion	Financial instability
Parliamentary Approval	Approval by both the houses by special majority within 1 month of issue of proclamation.	Approval by both the houses by special majority within 2 months of issue of proclamation.
Revocation of Proclamation	By the President. By resolution of Lok Sabha.	By the President.
Implementation	It has been invoked three times in India during 1962, 1971 and 1975.	Not Yet Invoked
Judicial review	Allowed	Allowed
Article	Article 352	Article 360

Janata Government: Coalition at the Centre
- Emergency and its aftermath: The Emergency, imposed by Indira Gandhi, led to widespread protests and the defeat of the Congress party in the 1977 elections.
- Janata Party victory: The Janata Party, a coalition of opposition parties, came to power in 1977.
- Fall of the Janata government: The Janata government collapsed in 1979 due to internal divisions and the resurgence of Indira Gandhi.
Coalition Dynamics: Ideological Challenges, Regional Influence, and Federal Impact
- Challenges of coalition politics: Coalition governments face challenges such as ideological differences and the risk of instability.
- Rise of regional parties: Regional parties have become increasingly important in coalition politics.
- Impact on federalism: Coalition politics has contributed to the strengthening of federalism in India.

PL-480 Program: India’s Struggle with Economic Adversities
- India faced economic challenges like recession, unemployment, inflation, and scarcity of food grains.
- The PL-480 program, also known as ‘Food for Peace’, provided aid in the form of food, leading to India’s dependence on foreign-supplied food.
Devaluation and the Green Revolution: India’s Agricultural Transformation
- In the face of acute shortages due to two successive droughts, India devalued its currency by 36.5% in 1966.
- This move averted famine, and India imported high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds from Mexico, heralding the Green Revolution and making India self-sufficient in agriculture.
Financial Reforms: Nationalization of Banks and Insurance Sector
- Nationalization of Banks: In 1969, Indira Gandhi’s government nationalized 14 commercial banks, controlling 70% of the country’s deposits. This move aimed to improve banking operations, especially in the agricultural sector.
- Insurance Sector Nationalization: The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) was established in 1956, and in 1972, the General Insurance Business (Nationalization) Act was passed, leading to the nationalization of the general insurance sector in 1973.
Public Distribution System and Food Security Reforms
- PDS and FCI: The Public Distribution System (PDS) was launched in 1947 to distribute subsidized food and non-food items. Food Corporation of India (FCI) was established in 1964 to check food shortages and black marketing.
- Revamped PDS and Targeted PDS: PDS evolved from untargeted to Revamped PDS (RPDS) in 1992, and later, Targeted PDS (TPDS) was introduced in 1997, aiming to stabilize food prices and ensure food availability to the needy
Abolition of Privy Purse and Equality Measures
- Privy Purse Abolition: In 1971, Indira Gandhi’s government proposed and passed the Constitutional (Twenty-Sixth Amendment) Act, abolishing Privy Purses given to the royal families of princely states. This move aimed for equality and social justice, aligning with constitutional principles.
Garibi Hatao Campaign:
- Slogan and Anti-Poverty Measures: During the 1971 elections, Indira Gandhi’s “Garibi Hatao Desh Bachao” (Abolish Poverty, Save the Nation) campaign targeted poverty alleviation. The slogan resonated with the masses and emphasized anti-poverty measures to uplift the marginalized sections of society.
Transformative Reforms and Social Justice Initiatives
- Economic Reforms and Social Justice: These economic developments reflected Indira Gandhi’s focus on economic reforms, agricultural self-sufficiency, and social justice. Nationalization, PDS, and poverty alleviation initiatives aimed at inclusive growth and reducing economic disparities.
- Legacy and Long-term Impact:
  - Indira Gandhi’s economic policies, including bank nationalization and poverty alleviation campaigns, left a lasting impact on India’s economic landscape, shaping the country’s approach toward social and economic welfare.
  - These policies also laid the foundation for future economic reforms and social welfare programs.

India’s Socio-Political Landscape: Key Events during the Indira Gandhi

Naxalite Movement:
- The Naxalites, inspired by Maoist ideology, started as a radical left-wing movement in India, particularly in states with high poverty and social inequality.
- It began in 1967 and has persisted, leading to the formation of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in 2004.
- The movement focuses on the rights of landless laborers and tribal people.
Bangladeshi Refugee Crisis:
- This crisis was the result of the Bangladesh Genocide in 1971, leading to a massive influx of refugees into India.
- The crisis eventually led to the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and the creation of Bangladesh as an independent nation.
Indo-Pak War, 1971:
- The 1971 war between India and Pakistan was a significant politico-military conflict that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.
- The war lasted from December 3 to December 16, 1971, and is commemorated as Vijay Diwas.
Simla Agreement, 1972:
- The Simla Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan in 1972 to establish durable peace, friendship, and cooperation between the two nations.
- It included principles like respect for territorial integrity and peaceful conflict resolution.
Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace:
- In 1971, India signed a treaty with the Soviet Union to ensure support in case of an attack.
- This treaty played a crucial role in securing India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity during the 1971 war.
JP Movement (Jaya Prakash Narayan Movement):
- The JP Movement was initiated by social activist Jaya Prakash Narayan in Bihar in 1974.
- It began as a student protest against rising prices and corruption and later turned into a national movement against the government.
- It eventually led to the declaration of Emergency by the Indira Gandhi government in 1975.

Indira Gandhi’s Second Term: Political Shifts, Turmoil, and Tragic Demise

During the second phase of Indira Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister of India (January 1980 – October 1984), several significant events and developments took place:
Return to Power:
- In the 1980 General Elections for the Seventh Lok Sabha, the Congress (I) was returned to power with a strong majority.
- Indira Gandhi won from Rae Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh as well as from Medak in Andhra Pradesh and chose to keep the Medak seat.
- She became the Prime Minister of India once again.
Economic Initiatives:
- Indira Gandhi paid immediate attention to the economy.
- A new Sixth Five-Year Plan (1980–85) was launched, focusing on increasing growth, industrialization, reducing poverty, and unemployment.
- Several programs like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and the National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) were initiated to promote rural development and employment.
Environmental Concerns:
- Indira Gandhi took steps to improve the ecological and environmental aspects of the country.
- Acts like the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981 were enacted during her tenure to address environmental issues.
Foreign Relations:
- She was unhappy with Sri Lanka’s alignment with the West after Sirimavo Bandaranaike lost power.
- India supported LTTE militants in the 1980s to pressurize Sri Lanka but stopped short of military intervention.
- India-Pakistan relations deteriorated, leading to military skirmishes and conflict over the Siachen Glacier.
Non-Aligned Movement:
- India reasserted its prominence in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) under Indira Gandhi.
- She chaired the 1983 NAM summit in Delhi and emphasized the relationship between disarmament and economic development.
Unrest in States:
- Political and communal tensions rose in different parts of India during her second term.
- There were movements for separate statehood in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
- In Punjab, there was a demand for greater autonomy and escalating communal issues between Sikhs and Hindus.
Punjab Turmoil and Operation Blue Star:
- Punjab faced significant political turmoil with demands for autonomy and the rise of Sikh separatism.
- Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale gained prominence and militant activity increased. In June 1984, Indira Gandhi ordered “Operation Blue Star” to regain control of the Golden Temple in Amritsar from Sikh militants.
- The operation led to substantial casualties and was met with strong opposition from the Sikh community worldwide.
Assassination:
- On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh security guards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star.
- Her death had a profound impact on the nation and led to the swearing-in of her son, Rajiv Gandhi, as the next Prime Minister of India.

Conclusion:

Indira Gandhi’s legacy is a complex blend of transformative policies and political turbulence, culminating in a tragic end that continues to shape India’s political history.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India and a prominent political leader, known for her significant reforms and policies that shaped India's socio-political and economic landscape.

Operation Blue Star was a military operation ordered by Indira Gandhi to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It led to significant casualties and angered the Sikh community, resulting in her assassination by her Sikh security guards.

India faced challenges like recession, unemployment, inflation, and scarcity of food grains, leading to initiatives such as the PL-480 Program and the Green Revolution. Indira Gandhi implemented reforms like bank nationalization, the abolition of royal families' privy purses, and the establishment of the Public Distribution System (PDS) to address economic disparities and ensure food security.

Political developments included the split in the Congress party, the emergence of regional parties, the era of coalition governments, and the implementation of the anti-defection law.

Indira Gandhi's policies contributed to the rise of regional parties and strengthened federalism in India, leading to diverse political representation.

Indira Gandhi enacted acts like the Forest (Conservation) Act and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act to address environmental concerns and promote ecological balance.

Indira Gandhi chaired the 1983 NAM summit in Delhi, emphasizing the relationship between disarmament and economic development, thereby reaffirming India's prominence in the movement.

Political unrest and demands for autonomy in Punjab were fueled by communal tensions and the rise of Sikh separatism, leading to the Operation Blue Star military intervention.

After Indira Gandhi's assassination, her son Rajiv Gandhi succeeded her as the Prime Minister of India, continuing the family's political legacy.

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Indira Gandhi: Death, Iron Lady of India, Biography and Legacy

Indira Gandhi’s Death: Transformative Legacy and Tragic Assassination

Indira Gandhi: The Iron Lady Who Shaped India’s Destiny

Political Dynamics in Indira Gandhi’s Era: Transformative Shifts and Challenges in Indian Politics

Indira Gandhi’s Economic Reforms: Bank Nationalization, PDS, and Social Welfare Initiatives

India’s Socio-Political Landscape: Key Events during the Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi’s Second Term: Political Shifts, Turmoil, and Tragic Demise

Conclusion:

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Indira Gandhi and what is her significance in Indian politics?

What was Operation Blue Star, and why did it lead to Indira Gandhi's assassination?

What were the major economic challenges faced by India during Indira Gandhi's era?

What were the significant political developments during Indira Gandhi's era?

What was the impact of Indira Gandhi's policies on India's federal structure?

What were the major environmental initiatives undertaken during Indira Gandhi's tenure?

How did Indira Gandhi contribute to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)?

What led to the rise of tensions and demands for autonomy in Punjab during Indira Gandhi's second term?

Who succeeded Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister of India after her assassination?

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