Indira Gandhi is remembered as one of India’s most resilient leaders, renowned for her ability to navigate turbulent times with sharp political insight. One of her most defining moments came in October 1977, a year after the Congress Party’s defeat in the general elections following the Emergency. Despite being out of power and facing opposition from the Janata Party, led by Home Minister Charan Singh, Indira turned adversity into an opportunity to regain public support.
The Arrest Incident That Turned the Tide
On October 3, 1977, Indira faced arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over her alleged involvement in the “Jeep scam.” When CBI officers arrived at her residence, she challenged them to handcuff her, refusing to move unless her demand was met. Seeing the moment as an opportunity to garner sympathy, her son Sanjay Gandhi and aide R.K. Dhawan quickly mobilized Congress supporters and media coverage.
By the next day, Indira was released on technical grounds. This episode portrayed her as a figure resilient in the face of hardship, creating waves of sympathy across the nation and setting the stage for her eventual return to power.
Indira’s Unexpected Path to Politics
Contrary to common belief, Indira Gandhi had not initially aspired to lead. In fact, she had considered moving to England in 1963, a year before her father, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, passed away. She even shared her intentions in a letter to her friend, Dorothy Norman, expressing her desire to live abroad for a while. However, after Nehru’s death, Lal Bahadur Shastri, who succeeded him, urged her to join his cabinet. Recognizing the importance of a stable government, she accepted the position of Minister of Information and Broadcasting, marking her formal entry into politics.
A Complex Relationship with Her Daughters-in-Law
Indira shared a special relationship with her elder daughter-in-law, Sonia Gandhi. She gave Sonia considerable freedom in adapting to Indian customs, with one small family tradition: speaking in Hindi during meals. Over time, Sonia embraced traditional attire, an evolution that Indira quickly noticed, although she assured Sonia she could dress as she pleased. This mutual respect and understanding solidified a close bond between the two women.
The Strategic Alliance with Hindu Sentiment
In the 1980s, Indira Gandhi began aligning with Hindu religious sentiments. This shift became evident when she accepted the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) invitation to inaugurate the “Ganga Jal Yatra” in 1981, symbolizing her recognition of Hindu cultural symbolism. Her advisor C.M. Stephen commented that “Hindu culture and Congress culture both have the same thinking,” a reflection of her political adaptability.
The Fateful Day: A Premonition of Her Death?
On the morning of October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi sent her grandchildren to school, lingering a little longer as she embraced them. Her parting words to her grandson Rahul, “If something happens to me, don’t cry,” seemed to foreshadow her tragic fate. Despite heightened security concerns after Operation Blue Star, she had resisted wearing a bulletproof jacket or dismissing her Sikh guards. Tragically, later that morning, her bodyguards Beant Singh and Satwant Singh assassinated her, ending the life of a leader who had left an indelible mark on Indian politics.
Indira Gandhi’s life and career were marked by resilience, adaptability, and an enduring influence that extended beyond politics into the personal and cultural fabric of India. Her legacy continues to shape the country’s political landscape.
Also Read: How Was Indira Gandhi Killed? Recalling The Assassination Of India’s First Female Prime Minister
