Rajiv
Gandhi, the sixth Prime Minister of India, is often remembered as a harbinger
of modernity in Indian politics. Taking the reins at a crucial juncture in the
country's post-independence evolution, Rajiv Gandhi played a pivotal role in
shaping India's entry into the 21st century. His tenure (1984–1989)
marked a period of transition from traditional political methods to the age of
computers, communication technology, and liberalization. A visionary with a
background in engineering, Rajiv Gandhi’s leadership reflected a blend of
technological aspiration and democratic ideals. Despite controversies, his
legacy as a reformist and modernizer endures.
Childhood
& Family Background
Rajiv
Gandhi was born on August 20, 1944, in Bombay (now Mumbai), into the eminent Nehru-Gandhi
family, a lineage deeply rooted in Indian politics and nationalism. He was the
elder son of Indira Gandhi, who later became the Prime Minister of India, and Feroze
Gandhi, a respected Member of Parliament. His grandfather, Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru, was the first Prime Minister of independent India, and Rajiv spent much
of his early childhood in the corridors of power and politics, though he
remained personally distant from them.
As
a child, Rajiv was known to be quiet, gentle, and reserved. Despite being
surrounded by the buzz of politics, he had little interest in public life. He
was very close to his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi. The death of his father
Feroze Gandhi in 1960 left a deep impact on young Rajiv, who was only 16 at the
time. He grew up in an environment that stressed both discipline and freedom of
thought, largely influenced by his grandfather Nehru’s liberal and modern
outlook.
Hobbies
Rajiv
Gandhi was known for his mechanical and technical interests, a trait that
stayed with him throughout his life. He had a passion for flying, which later
led him to become a professional commercial pilot. He also loved photography,
electronics, music, and reading, especially books related to science and
technology. Unlike his brother Sanjay, who was aggressive and politically
inclined, Rajiv enjoyed a more laid-back, intellectual lifestyle, preferring to
stay out of the political limelight.
He
was a man of modern taste, fond of gadgets, keen on computers, and deeply
interested in aviation. His hobbies reflected a forward-looking mindset that
would later influence his vision for a technologically advanced India.
Education
Rajiv
Gandhi's education journey began in India and later extended to the United
Kingdom. He initially attended Welham Boys’ School in Dehradun and later the
prestigious Doon School, also in Dehradun, known for grooming many future
Indian leaders. At Doon, he developed lifelong friendships and a sense of
discipline, though he remained somewhat aloof from academic competition.
After
completing his schooling, Rajiv went abroad for higher education. He enrolled
at Imperial College, London, where he studied mechanical engineering. However,
he did not complete his degree there and later moved to Trinity College,
Cambridge, to study engineering and computer science. Again, he did not
complete a formal degree, preferring practical engagement over academic
pressures.
Despite
not holding a university degree, Rajiv was well-read, curious, and thoughtful.
He returned to India and trained as a pilot with Indian Airlines, where he
worked for nearly a decade. His technical training and global exposure shaped
his pragmatic, technocratic approach when he later entered politics.
Meeting with Sonia Maino
Rajiv
Gandhi met Sonia Maino, an Italian student, in 1965 while
studying at Trinity College, University of Cambridge in the United
Kingdom. Sonia was pursuing English at a language school, and their meeting
blossomed into a deep friendship that soon turned into love.
Despite
coming from different cultural backgrounds, Rajiv from India’s most prominent
political family and Sonia from a modest family in Orbassano, near Turin,
Italy—their relationship matured over the years. Initially, their union
faced resistance from both families, mainly due to cultural and
political concerns. However, with time, the Nehru-Gandhi family accepted Sonia.
Marriage
and Family Life
Rajiv
and Sonia Gandhi got married on February 25, 1968, in a private
ceremony in New Delhi, attended by close family members and friends. Sonia
converted to Hinduism and was warmly welcomed by Indira Gandhi, who had grown
fond of her.
Their
marriage was known for its genuine affection and mutual respect. Rajiv
preferred a quiet, domestic life away from politics. He worked as a pilot
with Indian Airlines, and Sonia embraced Indian culture and values, living
a simple and low-profile life as a homemaker. The couple had two
children:
·
Rahul Gandhi
(born in 1970), now a Member of Parliament.
·
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
(born in 1972), also active in Indian politics.
Despite being
part of India’s most powerful family, Rajiv and Sonia kept a low public profile throughout the 1970s.
Rajiv had no political ambitions until the untimely death of his younger
brother, Sanjay Gandhi, in a
plane crash in 1980. This tragedy forced Rajiv into active politics, changing
the course of their life forever.
Sonia initially resisted Rajiv’s political entry, fearing the dangers
and loss of privacy that came with it. Nevertheless, she later supported him
steadfastly throughout his political career, especially during the tumultuous
years of his prime minister ship and after Indira Gandhi’s assassination in 1984.
The love story
of Rajiv and Sonia Gandhi is remembered for its cultural integration, emotional strength, and shared commitment
to family values. Even after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991, Sonia
remained in India, eventually stepping into public life herself to carry
forward his political legacy.
Their
relationship remains one of the most touching and enduring stories in Indian
political history; a bond forged across continents and sustained
through personal loss and public duty.
Political
Legacy:
Rajiv
Gandhi inherited a complex political legacy steeped in nationalism, socialism,
and democratic values. However, his own contribution marked a significant shift
— he became the face of India’s technological revolution. He advocated for
modernization of administration, reduction of bureaucratic red tape, and
encouraged innovation and computerization. His vision sowed the seeds for the
IT revolution and liberalization policies that followed in the 1990s. Rajiv’s
political legacy also includes strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions and
promoting youth participation in politics through organizations like the Indian
Youth Congress.
Accidental
Entry in Politics:
Rajiv
Gandhi’s entry into politics was more circumstantial than deliberate. His
younger brother, Sanjay Gandhi, was the political heir apparent to Indira
Gandhi. However, Sanjay’s untimely death in a plane crash in 1980 altered the
course of Rajiv’s life. Persuaded by his mother and senior Congress leaders,
Rajiv reluctantly entered politics to fill the void left by Sanjay. He
contested and won the Amethi Lok Sabha seat in 1981. Though initially seen as
politically inexperienced, Rajiv soon began assuming more significant roles
within the Congress party and the government.
Administrative
Reforms:
One
of the most transformative initiatives taken by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi
during his tenure (1984–1989) was the introduction of computerization and
modern technology in the Indian government’s administrative machinery. At a
time when India was largely operating with manual systems and resisted
technological change, Rajiv Gandhi envisioned modernizing governance
through the use of computers, telecommunications, and information technology.
Vision
and Motivation
Rajiv
Gandhi believed that technology was the key to efficient governance and
national development. His background as a pilot and his keen interest in
science and electronics made him understand the potential of computers early
on. He saw technology not only as a tool for economic growth but also as a way
to reduce corruption, improve public services, and make administration more
transparent and responsive.
Key
Initiatives
1. Computerization
of Government Offices:
He initiated the computerization of
various departments, including the railways, income tax, and public sector
undertakings, to improve record-keeping, reduce delays, and bring
efficiency.
2. NICNET
and National Informatics Centre (NIC):
Rajiv Gandhi strengthened the National
Informatics Centre, established in 1976, and expanded its network to
districts across India through NICNET, one of the earliest government
computer networks.
3. Telecommunication
Reforms:
His administration laid the foundation
for the telecom revolution by supporting the creation of institutions
like C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics) and expanding
telephone connectivity in rural India.
4. IT
and Software Promotion:
Rajiv Gandhi’s government took early
steps toward encouraging the software industry and IT exports,
which eventually contributed to India becoming a global IT hub.
5. Educational
and Scientific Focus:
He
promoted computer education in schools and colleges and encouraged
scientific research by funding institutions like IITs, IISc, and new
technology missions.
Opposition
and Challenges
At
the time, Rajiv Gandhi faced significant opposition from labor unions and
political opponents, who feared that computerization would lead to job
losses and elitism. However, he stood firm on his belief that technological
progress was necessary for a modern India.
Legacy
and Impact
Rajiv
Gandhi is widely regarded as the "architect of digital India"
for his visionary steps toward e-governance and IT development. Though
full-scale implementation came later, his early push for computerization laid
the foundation for the digital transformation seen in the 21st century.
His policies influenced later initiatives like Digital India and e-Governance
projects.
Political
Decisions:
Rajiv
Gandhi’s tenure was marked by bold and futuristic decisions. He launched the
National Policy on Education (1986), which emphasized modern scientific and
technological education. He established institutions like the Jawahar Navodaya
Vidyalaya’s and initiated public-private partnerships for IT and
telecommunications. He lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, empowering the
youth.
In
foreign policy, Rajiv took a proactive stance, improving relations with the
United States and fostering better cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. He
also supported peacekeeping efforts, most notably in Sri Lanka through the
Indo-Sri Lanka Accord (1987), though it later became a contentious issue.
Financial
View and Decisions:
Rajiv
Gandhi’s approach to the economy reflected a departure from rigid socialism.
While he didn’t formally abandon the Nehruvian economic model, he laid the
groundwork for liberalization. His government reduced import duties,
deregulated sectors, and promoted foreign investment. He emphasized fiscal
discipline and initiated tax reforms to widen the base and improve compliance.
Rajiv
supported technological growth as a means to economic development. His backing
of the telecom sector, along with IT, established a foundation for India's
future growth as a global tech hub. The seeds of economic reforms were sown
during his administration, even if the full-scale liberalization was carried
out by his successors in the early 1990s.
Foreign
Policy:
As
Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989, Rajiv Gandhi pursued a pragmatic and
forward-looking foreign policy that aimed to enhance India's global standing,
foster regional cooperation, and maintain strategic autonomy. His approach
marked a subtle shift from the traditional non-alignment stance toward a more engaged,
economically driven, and diplomatically balanced foreign policy.
Key
Features of Rajiv Gandhi’s Foreign Policy
1.
Continuity of Non-Alignment with Modernization
Rajiv
Gandhi upheld the core principle of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) but emphasized economic
cooperation and modernization. He believed in maintaining India’s strategic
independence while engaging with both the West and the Soviet bloc.
2.
Improved Relations with the United States
Rajiv
made significant efforts to revive Indo-US ties, which had cooled during the
Cold War. He visited the United States in 1985, met with President Ronald
Reagan, and promoted cooperation in science, technology, and education,
signaling India's openness to Western partnerships.
3.
Strong Ties with the Soviet Union
India’s
traditional friendship with the USSR remained strong. Rajiv Gandhi made several
visits to Moscow and signed agreements on defense, energy, and trade,
reinforcing the Indo-Soviet partnership, particularly in the wake of
U.S.-Pakistan proximity during the Afghan War.
4.
Focus on Regional Peace – SAARC Initiative
Rajiv
Gandhi played a crucial role in strengthening regional diplomacy. He was
instrumental in the formation and promotion of the South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC), aimed at fostering economic and social
collaboration among South Asian nations.
5.
Sri Lanka – Indo-Sri Lanka Accord (1987)
One
of the most controversial decisions of his foreign policy was signing the Indo-Sri
Lanka Accord to resolve the Sri Lankan civil war. India sent the Indian Peace
Keeping Force (IPKF) to maintain peace, but the mission faced strong resistance
from Tamil rebels and eventually turned into a diplomatic and military
quagmire. The IPKF’s withdrawal in 1990 marked a bitter end to this initiative.
6.
Support for Global Disarmament
Rajiv
Gandhi was a strong advocate of global nuclear disarmament. In 1988, he
presented an ambitious Action Plan for a Nuclear-Weapon-Free and Non-Violent
World Order at the United Nations, showcasing India’s commitment to peace and
disarmament.
Legacy
and Impact
·
Rajiv Gandhi’s foreign policy emphasized economic
diplomacy, technological cooperation, and regional engagement.
·
He positioned India as a moderate voice on
the global stage, balancing relationships with both superpowers during the Cold
War.
·
His efforts to modernize India's image
abroad laid the foundation for India's later economic liberalization and global
integration in the 1990s.
Controversies
and Allegations:
I. Bofors
Scandal:
The
Bofors Scandal was one of the most high-profile political and
defense-related corruption cases in India. It surfaced in 1987, during
the tenure of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and involved allegations of kickbacks
in a defense deal between the Government of India and Swedish arms
manufacturer AB Bofors.
The
deal, signed in March 1986, was worth ₹1,437 crore (approximately USD
285 million) for the purchase of 410 Howitzer field guns. A Swedish
radio broadcast first broke the news that Bofors had paid illegal commissions
to Indian politicians, middlemen, and defense officials to secure the contract.
The scandal triggered a massive uproar in India, leading to widespread protests
and significant political damage to the Congress government. It was a major
factor contributing to Rajiv Gandhi’s defeat in the 1989 general elections.
Key
Allegations and Developments
·
The case involved several prominent
figures, including Ottavio Quattrocchi, an Italian businessman close to
the Gandhi family, who was accused of being a middleman.
·
The Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI) filed charges against several individuals in 1990.
·
Rajiv Gandhi was not formally charged,
but his government was accused of suppressing facts and protecting the accused.
·
In 2004, the Delhi High Court quashed
charges against Rajiv Gandhi, stating there was no evidence linking him
directly to the payoff.
Current Status of the
Case
·
Over the years, the Bofors case has languished
in courts, with many accused either acquitted or deceased.
·
In 2011, the CBI closed its case
against Ottavio Quattrocchi, citing lack of evidence and the impracticality
of extradition.
·
In 2018, a fresh plea was filed in
the Supreme Court seeking a re-investigation, but the Court refused to
reopen the case, saying it was too old and lacked new evidence.
·
As of 2025, the Bofors case is
considered closed, with no active legal proceedings. It remains a symbol of
political controversy and the challenges in prosecuting high-level corruption
in India.
II. Shah
Bano Case:
The
Shah Bano case is a landmark legal and political episode in Indian
history that highlighted the conflict between secular law and personal
religious laws, especially in matters of gender justice and minority
rights. It involved Shah Bano Begum, a 62-year-old Muslim woman from
Indore, who in 1978 filed a petition in court seeking maintenance
(alimony) from her husband after he divorced her under Islamic law (triple
talaq).
Legal
Proceedings and Supreme Court Verdict (1985)
·
Shah Bano’s husband, Mohammed Ahmad
Khan, a lawyer, had given her divorce through talaq and refused to
provide her with maintenance.
·
She approached the judicial system
under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which provides for
maintenance to wives, irrespective of religion.
·
In 1985, the Supreme Court of
India ruled in her favor, stating that she was entitled to maintenance
beyond the iddat period (a three-month post-divorce waiting period under
Islamic law).
·
The Court emphasized that secular laws
must prevail over personal laws in matters of fundamental rights,
especially regarding justice and equality for women.
Political Backlash and
Government Reaction
·
The verdict led to widespread protests
from sections of the Muslim community, who viewed the ruling as
interference in Islamic personal law.
·
In response to the backlash and to appease
conservative Muslim leadership, the Rajiv Gandhi government passed the
Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986.
·
This Act overruled the Supreme Court
judgment, limiting the husband’s liability to maintenance only during the iddat
period and shifting the burden of further maintenance to the woman’s relatives
or the Waqf Board.
Controversy and Impact
·
The government’s move was seen as vote-bank
appeasement and drew sharp criticism from women’s rights groups,
secularists, and legal experts.
·
It sparked a national debate on the
Uniform Civil Code, gender justice, and the balance between religious
freedom and constitutional rights.
·
The case remains a turning point in
Indian legal and political discourse, with long-term implications for
women's rights and secular governance.
Assassination:
Rajiv
Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India and a prominent
leader of the Indian National Congress, was assassinated on May 21, 1991,
in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu, while
campaigning for the 1991 general elections. His assassination was a tragic
and shocking event that deeply impacted Indian politics and national
security policies.
Circumstances
of the Assassination
·
Rajiv Gandhi was in Sriperumbudur to
address a public meeting as part of his election campaign.
·
As he walked through the crowd to the
dais, he was approached by a woman named Dhanu, who bent down to touch
his feet and detonated a belt bomb strapped to her body.
·
The suicide bombing killed Rajiv
Gandhi instantly along with at least 14 others, including police
personnel and Congress workers. Many others were injured.
Who
Was Behind the Attack?
·
The assassination was carried out by the Liberation
Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a militant Tamil separatist group from Sri
Lanka.
·
The LTTE was retaliating against
Rajiv Gandhi’s decision to send the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) to
Sri Lanka under the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, which had resulted in armed
conflict between the IPKF and LTTE.
·
The LTTE viewed Rajiv Gandhi as a betrayer
of the Tamil cause and targeted him for elimination.
Investigation
and Aftermath
·
The case was investigated by the Central
Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a special investigative team.
·
A video recording of the event and
photographic evidence helped identify the assassin and the LTTE’s involvement.
·
In 1998, the designated TADA court
convicted 26 people for their role in the conspiracy. Four were
sentenced to death, though some sentences were later commuted.
·
V. Prabhakaran,
the LTTE chief, was named as the main conspirator but was never captured. He
was killed in 2009 during the Sri Lankan civil war.
Current
Status
·
Over the years, many of the convicts
petitioned for clemency, citing long imprisonment.
·
In 2022, the Supreme Court of
India ordered the release of all remaining convicts, considering good
conduct and the recommendation of the Tamil Nadu government.
·
The decision sparked debates on justice,
clemency, and the legacy of political assassinations.
Conclusion:
Rajiv
Gandhi’s life and political journey are emblematic of India’s struggle between
tradition and modernity. A reluctant politician who embraced the challenge when
destiny called, he envisioned an India that would be self-reliant,
technologically advanced, and youth-driven. His policies and decisions, though
occasionally flawed, had far-reaching impacts that still shape contemporary
India. The Bofors scandal and other missteps cannot erase his contributions to
modernizing India's economy, education, and technology landscape. Assassinated
in 1991 by the LTTE, Rajiv Gandhi left behind an unfinished vision — but one
that continues to inspire the nation’s progress toward becoming a modern,
global power.
References
1. Guha,
Ramachandra. India After Gandhi: The History of the World's Largest
Democracy. HarperCollins, 2007.
2. Frank,
Katherine. Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi. Harper Perennial,
2002.
3. Mani,
P.R. Rajeev. "Rajiv Gandhi's Vision for India." Economic and
Political Weekly, Vol. 26, No. 51 (1991).
4. Frontline.
"Rajiv Gandhi: The Man Who Thought Ahead of His Time." The Hindu
Group, 2011.
5. Ministry
of Electronics & IT, Government of India. History of IT Revolution in
India.
6. The
Bofors Scandal: A Case Study. India Today Archives, 1987.
7. Singh,
Zoya Hasan. Politics and the State in India. Sage Publications, 2000.
8. Lok
Sabha Debates Archive. Government of India.
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