Rajiv Gandhi

Prime Minister of India

In office:
31 October 1984 – 2 December 1989

President:

Vice President:

Ramaswamy Venkataraman
Shankar Dayal Sharma

Preceded by: Indira Gandhi
Succeeded by: V. P. Singh

Leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha
In office:
18 December 1989 – 23 December 1990
Prime Minister: V. P. Singh
Preceded by: Jagjivan Ram
Succeeded by: L. K. Advani

President of the Indian National Congress
In office:
28 December 1985 – 21 May 1991
Preceded by: Indira Gandhi
Succeeded by: P. V. Narasimha Rao

Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office:
17 August 1981 – 21 May 1991
Preceded by: Sanjay Gandhi
Succeeded by: Satish Sharma
Constituency: Amethi, Uttar Pradesh

Personal Details

Born: 20 August 1944, Bombay , India
Died: 21 May 1991 (aged 46), Sriperumbudur , Tamil Nadu , India
Manner of death: Assassination
Political party: Indian National Congress
Spouse: Sonia Maino (m. 1968)
Children:

Rahul Gandhi (son)
Priyanka Gandhi (daughter)

Parents:

Feroze Gandhi (father)
Indira Gandhi (mother)

Relatives: Nehru–Gandhi family

Alma mater:

Trinity College, Cambridge (dropped out)
Imperial College London (dropped out)

Occupation: Politician , Pilot
Awards: Bharat Ratna (1991)
Monuments: Vir Bhumi

This article is part of a series about Rajiv Gandhi

Early Life and Career

Rajiv Gandhi was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 20 August 1944, into the politically influential Nehru-Gandhi family. He was the son of Indira Gandhi and Feroze Gandhi , both of whom were prominent figures in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. His maternal grandfather was Jawaharlal Nehru , who served as the first Prime Minister of India.

Rajiv and his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi were educated at Shiv Niketan school, where early reports depicted Rajiv as shy and introverted. He developed a passion for arts, particularly painting and drawing. His educational journey continued at St. Columba’s School, Delhi , followed by the Welham Boys’ School in Dehradun, and later, The Doon School , which he attended until 1961, graduating with a second-class certificate.

During his final year at The Doon School, Rajiv’s mother and Albert D’Rozario, a scientific attaché at the Indian High Commission in London, facilitated his application to Cambridge University . He was conditionally admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge , contingent on passing the Mechanical Sciences Qualifying Examination. After several attempts, he finally secured his place at Trinity in 1962. His time at Cambridge was marked by a lack of academic focus, and he left the institution without a degree in 1965.

In 1966, Rajiv returned to India, coinciding with his mother’s return to power as Prime Minister. He trained as a pilot and began working for Indian Airlines in 1970. He married Sonia Maino in 1968, and the couple welcomed their first child, Rahul Gandhi , in 1970, followed by their daughter, Priyanka Gandhi , in 1972.

Entry Into Politics

Rajiv’s political career was thrust upon him following the untimely death of his younger brother, Sanjay, in a plane crash on 23 June 1980. At his mother’s insistence, he stepped into the political arena. On 16 February 1981, he made his public debut by addressing a farmers’ rally in Delhi. Shortly thereafter, he contested for his brother’s Parliamentary seat in Amethi , winning decisively against Lok Dal candidate Sharad Yadav by a margin of 237,000 votes. His oath-taking on 17 August 1981 marked the beginning of his formal political career.

Rajiv Gandhi’s first significant political engagement was overseeing the organization of the 1982 Asian Games , which showcased his organizational skills and positioned him as a capable figure within the Congress party.

Prime Minister of India (1984–1989)

Following the assassination of Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards in the wake of Operation Blue Star , Rajiv was appointed Prime Minister of India. At just 40 years old, he became the youngest leader to hold this office. His leadership was immediately challenged by nationwide riots against the Sikh community, leading to widespread violence and tragic loss of life; estimates of Sikh deaths during the riots range from 8,000 to 17,000. Rajiv’s comments regarding the riots, particularly his statement, “When a giant tree falls, the earth below shakes,” received significant backlash for seeming to justify the violence.

Despite the turmoil, the Congress party experienced an electoral triumph in December 1984, securing a historic majority in the Lok Sabha with 414 seats out of 541. However, Rajiv’s tenure was marred by numerous controversies, including the Bhopal disaster , the Bofors scandal , and the Shah Bano case , which tested his administration’s integrity and efficacy.

Rajiv Gandhi’s administration is also noted for its foreign policy interventions, including the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed in 1987, which aimed to resolve the ongoing Sri Lankan Civil War by integrating Tamil concerns into the framework of the Sri Lankan state. However, this move drew ire from Tamil militant groups, notably the LTTE , leading to armed conflict and the deployment of Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF).

Post-Premiership and Assassination

After losing the 1989 elections to the National Front coalition led by V. P. Singh , Rajiv continued to serve as Congress president until the elections of 1991. Tragically, while campaigning for the elections that year, he was assassinated on 21 May 1991 by a suicide bomber from the LTTE. His assassination, which also claimed the lives of at least 14 others, was a direct consequence of the animosity generated by his foreign policy decisions in Sri Lanka.

In recognition of his contributions and legacy, Rajiv Gandhi was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna , India’s highest civilian honor, in 1991. His life and death continue to evoke significant discourse and analysis in Indian politics.

Aftermath

The aftermath of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination led to significant political ramifications in India, including the commutation of sentences for some of the convicted assassins, and the establishment of a memorial at Vir Bhumi in New Delhi, where he was cremated. His legacy remains a complex mix of admiration and controversy, reflective of the tumultuous era in which he served.

Awards and Honours

India:

Bharat Ratna (1991, posthumous)

Institutions Named After Gandhi

For an extensive list of institutions and initiatives named in his honor, refer to the article on List of things named after Rajiv Gandhi .

In Popular Culture

Rajiv Gandhi’s life and assassination have inspired various films and documentaries. Notable works include India’s Rajiv, a documentary series by Simi Garewal , and feature films such as The Terrorist (1997) and Madras Cafe (2013). These portrayals contribute to the ongoing examination of his impact on Indian society and politics.

This reconstructed narrative encapsulates Rajiv Gandhi’s multifaceted life, his contributions, controversies, and the legacy he left behind. The links throughout facilitate further exploration of the myriad aspects of his political career and personal life.