On this day, 31st October: Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated - 1984

The assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984, marked one of the darkest moments in modern Indian history. The assassination was carried out by her Sikh bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, as retaliation for Operation Blue Star, a military action Gandhi had ordered in June 1984. Operation Blue Star aimed to remove Sikh separatists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers had taken refuge. The operation caused significant damage to the temple and led to many civilian casualties, leaving deep resentment within the Sikh community.

In the aftermath of her assassination, violent anti-Sikh riots erupted, especially in Delhi. Organized mobs targeted Sikhs, burning homes, businesses, and Gurdwaras, and assaulting Sikh families, resulting in thousands of deaths. The violence left an indelible scar on India, creating communal divisions and leading to criticism of the government's slow response to the riots.

Indira Gandhi’s death and the events that followed profoundly impacted India’s political and social landscape. Her assassination intensified the longstanding struggle for unity within a diverse and multicultural society. Her son, Rajiv Gandhi, succeeded her as Prime Minister, but the tragic events highlighted the need for stronger community relationships and fair treatment across India's diverse population. The assassination remains a reminder of the challenges India faces in balancing religious sensitivities with national security and unity.