History Daily The Assassination of Indira Gandhi
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Oct 31, 2025 The podcast explores Indira Gandhi's rise to fame after the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War and the subsequent turbulence of the 1975 Emergency. It highlights Sikh opposition and crucial protests, leading to the fatal Operation Blue Star raid. The narrative builds to the assassination on October 31, 1984, detailing the actions of her Sikh bodyguards. The aftermath sees a wave of anti-Sikh violence, raising questions about Gandhi's complex legacy in Indian history.
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Popular Support After 1971 Victory
- A rickshaw operator celebrates Indira Gandhi after the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War and believes she will bring prosperity.
- His pride illustrates Gandhi's popular appeal among poor workers following military victory.
From Puppet To Centralized Power
- Indira Gandhi rose from expected puppet to dominant, uncompromising leader who built a personal party faction.
- Her growing power and decisiveness set the stage for later policies that divided India.
Emergency Declared After Court Verdict
- After a judge found Gandhi guilty of electoral fraud, she refused to step down and declared a state of emergency.
- Opposition leader Jaya Prakash Narayan was arrested in a late-night raid illustrating the emergency's reach.