On October 31, 1984, a devastating event shook the nation as India’s Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own security guards. Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, purportedly seeking retribution for the Sikh community following the contentious Operation Blue Star, fired over 30 bullets at her from close range, leading to her untimely demise.
The aftermath of the assassination witnessed some of the most appalling communal violence in India’s history, with an estimated 3,350 Sikhs falling victim to mass killings in just three days, with a staggering 2,800 deaths in the national capital alone.
The Prime Minister’s sense of foreboding preceding the tragic incident was evident, as she often expressed her premonitions of death to her close confidantes. Despite increased security measures, Indira Gandhi insisted on retaining Sikh guards in her security detail, refusing to succumb to fear and emphasizing the principle of secularism.
The morning of the assassination unfolded as Indira Gandhi stepped out of her residence, only to be met with gunfire from her own guards, leading to her fatal injuries. Despite immediate medical intervention, her life couldn’t be saved, leaving the nation in a state of shock and mourning.
The aftermath of her assassination saw the swift justice of the assailants, with Beant Singh being shot dead shortly after the incident, and Satwant Singh later being executed for his involvement. Indira’s son, Rajiv Gandhi, swiftly assumed the mantle of Prime Minister, addressing the nation during a period of intense turmoil.
The events that followed, including the rampant communal violence targeting innocent Sikhs, left a deep scar on the nation’s conscience. Despite subsequent inquiries, few were held accountable for the atrocities committed, leaving behind a legacy of pain and unhealed wounds.
