The Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi – A Turning Point in India’s Political History
Introduction
Rajiv Gandhi, the 6th Prime Minister of India, was a leader whose tenure shaped India’s modern political landscape. His tragic assassination on 21 May 1991 in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, not only shook the nation but also altered the course of Indian politics. The incident was not just the killing of a political figure — it was an act that revealed the dangerous intersection of terrorism, regional politics, and global insurgency movements.
This article presents a complete historical account of Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, including the political background, events leading up to the murder, the operation by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), investigation details, court verdicts, and its long-term impact on India.
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Early Life and Political Rise of Rajiv Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi was born on 20 August 1944 in Bombay (now Mumbai) to Feroze Gandhi and Indira Gandhi. Initially uninterested in politics, Rajiv pursued a career as a pilot with Indian Airlines. However, the untimely death of his younger brother, Sanjay Gandhi, in 1980 thrust him into the political spotlight.
He entered Parliament in 1981 and quickly rose in ranks within the Indian National Congress. Following the assassination of his mother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in October 1984, Rajiv was sworn in as India’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 40.
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Rajiv Gandhi’s Prime Ministership and Sri Lankan Involvement
Rajiv Gandhi’s term (1984–1989) was marked by ambitious modernization plans, economic reforms, and a focus on science and technology. However, his foreign policy decisions, particularly his intervention in Sri Lanka, played a crucial role in events that would later lead to his assassination.
In 1987, Rajiv signed the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord with Sri Lankan President J.R. Jayewardene to end the civil war between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil separatists, mainly the LTTE. The agreement led to the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka.
Initially intended to protect Tamil civilians, the IPKF soon clashed with the LTTE. This led to a bitter enmity between the LTTE leadership, particularly its chief, Velupillai Prabhakaran, and Rajiv Gandhi.
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The Political Comeback Attempt in 1991
After losing the 1989 general elections, Rajiv Gandhi served as the Leader of Opposition. By 1991, political winds seemed favorable for his return to power. General elections were announced, and Rajiv began his nationwide campaign.
Tamil Nadu, despite being politically sensitive due to the LTTE issue, was on his campaign itinerary. Against the advice of some security experts, he decided to visit Sriperumbudur to address an election rally on 21 May 1991.
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The Assassination – 21 May 1991
On the evening of 21 May, Rajiv Gandhi arrived in Sriperumbudur. As he walked towards the stage through a crowd of supporters, a young woman approached him, bent down to touch his feet — and detonated an explosive belt hidden under her clothes.
The suicide bomber, later identified as Dhanu (Thenmozhi Rajaratnam), was an LTTE operative. The blast killed Rajiv Gandhi instantly, along with 14 others, and injured many more.
The assassination was meticulously planned by the LTTE as revenge for the IPKF’s operations in Sri Lanka. The use of a human bomb was unprecedented in Indian political history, shocking the world with its brutality.
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Investigation and the Jain Commission
The Indian government immediately launched Operation Cactus-Lilly, a nationwide investigation involving the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and its Special Investigation Team (SIT). Evidence, including photographs taken moments before the blast, helped identify the assassins.
The Jain Commission was later appointed to investigate the larger conspiracy. It concluded that the LTTE leadership, including Prabhakaran, Pottu Amman, and Akila, had masterminded the assassination.
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Arrests, Trials, and Convictions
In 1998, a designated Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court convicted 26 individuals in the conspiracy, sentencing all of them to death. However, in 1999, the Supreme Court of India confirmed the death penalty for only four — Nalini Sriharan, Murugan, Santhan, and Perarivalan — and commuted the others’ sentences.
Nalini’s sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment, reportedly due to Sonia Gandhi’s appeal, and over the years, there were multiple legal and political debates over the release of the convicts. By 2022, the Supreme Court ordered the release of all the remaining convicts, citing their long incarceration.
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Impact on Indian Politics
The assassination had far-reaching consequences:
1. Election Outcome – In the immediate aftermath, sympathy for the Congress Party surged, but P.V. Narasimha Rao eventually became Prime Minister.
2. Terrorism Awareness – India strengthened its counter-terrorism mechanisms and security protocols for VIPs.
3. India–Sri Lanka Relations – Diplomatic ties between India and Sri Lanka were strained for years, particularly over Tamil separatist issues.
4. LTTE’s Global Standing – The LTTE faced condemnation worldwide, and many countries, including India, banned it as a terrorist organization.
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Legacy of Rajiv Gandhi
Despite the controversies of his tenure, Rajiv Gandhi is remembered for introducing computers and telecommunications to India, encouraging youth participation in politics, and envisioning a modernized India.
His death remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of violent extremism and the complex consequences of foreign policy decisions. Every year, 21 May is observed as Anti-Terrorism Day in India to honor his memory and reaffirm the nation’s commitment to fighting terrorism.
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Conclusion
The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi was not just the loss of a leader but a reminder of how political conflicts can escalate into tragedies with international dimensions. It exposed the risks political figures face when dealing with insurgent groups and highlighted the need for constant vigilance in a volatile geopolitical environment.
Rajiv Gandhi’s life and death continue to be studied in political science, international relations, and security studies, serving as a powerful example of how decisions made in the halls of power can echo far beyond borders — sometimes with deadly consequences.
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