28 October,2024 03:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Indira Gandhi. Pic/INC
On October 31, 2024, India will commemorate the 40th death anniversary of Indira Gandhi, one of the country's most influential yet controversial leaders. As India's first female Prime Minister, her leadership had a lasting impact on the country. However, her rule has been tarnished by problematic events such as the Emergency (1975-1977) and the anti-Sikh riots that followed her killing in 1984. These incidents not only transformed India's political scene but also her legacy, resulting in a complicated picture that continues to generate controversy.
One of the most defining phases of Indira Gandhi's tenure was the Emergency, which was announced on June 25, 1975 and lasted 21 months. This time permitted her to rule by decree, circumventing the democratic process in the name of ensuring national security and stability. The immediate cause was a court decision that found her guilty of electoral misconduct, jeopardising her position as Prime Minister. In response, she declared an emergency under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, suspending elections and limiting civil freedoms.
During the Emergency, the press was heavily censored, political opponents were arrested, and unfriendly state administrations were dismissed. Civil liberties were severely curtailed, and opposition leaders, activists, and journalists were held without trial. Forced sterilisation policies, which were used as part of a family planning campaign, instilled fear and hostility in the general public, particularly in rural areas. The Emergency, while intended to stabilise the country, gradually destroyed public trust in Gandhi's leadership, as many believed she was choosing power over democratic values.
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The blowback was unavoidable. When elections were ultimately held in 1977, Indira Gandhi's party was decisively defeated. However, the influence of the Emergency persisted long after, impacting how people perceived her leadership style - determined and dynamic, but often authoritarian.
Another tragic chapter associated with Indira Gandhi's term was the anti-Sikh riots that broke out following her assassination on October 31, 1984. Gandhi was slain by her Sikh bodyguards in retribution for Operation Blue Star, a military operation she launched in June 1984 to clear Sikh separatists from the Golden Temple, a revered site in Amritsar.
Her death sparked severe anti-Sikh riots in Delhi and other regions of India. The violence, which claimed the lives of hundreds of Sikhs, left an indelible mark on the Sikh community and prompted claims that the government responded inadequately. Allegations that some Congress officials incited riots harmed the party's reputation and Gandhi's legacy. The failure to avert the riots and deliver justice to the victims in time left deep social and political wounds, impacting her reputation posthumously.
Indira Gandhi's contributions to India's prosperity, such as the Green Revolution and bank nationalisation, are frequently eclipsed by the controversy surrounding the Emergency and anti-Sikh riots. Her determination to lead India through dangerous times earned her both respect and condemnation, and her legacy remains one of India's most complex.
As India commemorates Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary, the impact of these events is still being disputed. For many, she is still a symbol of strength and resilience, while others see her reign as a cautionary tale about the consequences of uncontrolled authority. Indira Gandhi's legacy lives on, inspiring observations on the delicate balance of authority and democracy in a country as diverse as India.
