Why this matters now
Rajiv Gandhi is tested for: launching the IT + telecom revolution (Sam Pitroda, C-DOT 1984, MTNL 1986, VSNL 1986, PCO STD revolution); the 52nd Amendment 1985 (Anti-Defection — Tenth Schedule); the draft 64th + 65th Amendments (Panchayati Raj — finally passed as 73rd + 74th by Narasimha Rao); reducing voting age from 21 to 18 (61st Amendment 1989); the IPKF Sri Lanka misadventure 1987-90; the Bofors scandal 1987; the Shah Bano + Babri Masjid lock-opening communal triggers; and his assassination at Sriperumbudur 21 May 1991 by LTTE.
Early life: a reluctant politician
Born on 20 August 1944 at Bombay to Indira and Feroze Gandhi. Educated at Doon School Dehradun; Trinity College Cambridge (Mechanical Engineering, did not finish); Imperial College London 1966 (Mech Eng, did not finish). Worked as Indian Airlines pilot 1968-81 on Avro 748s. Married Italian-born Antonia Maino (Sonia Gandhi) in 1968 at Delhi. Children: Rahul (1970), Priyanka (1972).
Stayed out of politics until brother Sanjay Gandhi died in plane crash 23 June 1980. Rajiv entered politics 1981 from Sanjay’s Amethi seat; Lok Sabha 1981.
PM 31 October 1984 - 2 December 1989
Sworn in 31 October 1984 — hours after Indira’s assassination — aged 40. December 1984 LS elections: 414/533 record landslide (76% of seats) on sympathy wave.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1984 | Bhopal Gas Tragedy 2-3 Dec 1984 (Union Carbide); 5000+ killed. |
| 1985 | 52nd Constitutional Amendment (Anti-Defection Law — added Tenth Schedule). Assam Accord 15 Aug 1985 with AASU. |
| 1985 | Punjab Accord (Longowal Accord 24 July 1985) — H.S. Longowal assassinated 20 Aug 1985. |
| 1985 | Shah Bano case verdict (Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum, 23 April 1985, CJI Y.V. Chandrachud) granting maintenance to divorced Muslim woman under CrPC 125. Rajiv passed Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act 1986 overriding it — alienated minorities and majorities. |
| 1986 | National Policy on Education 1986 (Operation Blackboard). MTNL + VSNL established. Babri Masjid locks opened 1 Feb 1986 by Faizabad district judge (politically engineered). |
| 1987 | Bofors scandal — alleged Rs 64 crore kickbacks on Rs 1437 cr Bofors AB howitzer deal. IPKF Sri Lanka deployed July 1987 (Indo-Lanka Accord 29 July with Jayewardene). |
| 1988 | Reduced voting age 21→18 (61st Amendment Dec 1988 in force 28 March 1989). National Literacy Mission 1988. |
| 1988-89 | Draft 64th + 65th Amendments on Panchayati Raj + Nagarpalika — failed in Rajya Sabha but became basis for 73rd + 74th Amendments under Narasimha Rao 1992. |
| Dec 1989 | Congress lost to Janata Dal+; V.P. Singh PM. Rajiv Leader of Opposition. |
Assassination 21 May 1991 & legacy
Campaigning for Congress in TN, Rajiv was assassinated by LTTE suicide bomber Thenmozhi Rajaratnam (“Dhanu”) at Sriperumbudur in TN around 10:10 PM on 21 May 1991. 16 others killed. The LTTE motive: revenge for IPKF deployment + 1987 disarming of Tamil Tigers. Investigation by D.R. Karthikeyan’s SIT; perpetrators tried, several death sentences eventually commuted.
Bharat Ratna conferred posthumously 1991. Memorial: Veer Bhumi on the Yamuna (near Shaktisthal, Indira’s memorial). 21 May observed as Anti-Terrorism Day.
UPSC angle
Know Rajiv Gandhi (b. Bombay 20 Aug 1944, d. Sriperumbudur TN 21 May 1991) — son Indira+Feroze Gandhi; Doon School + Trinity College Cambridge Mech Eng + Imperial College London (both not finished); INDIAN AIRLINES PILOT 1968-81 Avro 748; married Antonia Maino/Sonia Gandhi 1968; children Rahul 1970 + Priyanka 1972; entered politics after brother Sanjay died 23 June 1980, Amethi LS 1981; 6TH PM 31 Oct 1984 - 2 Dec 1989 (YOUNGEST AT 40); Dec 1984 LS election RECORD 414/533 sympathy wave; key acts: 52ND AMENDMENT 1985 Anti-Defection Tenth Schedule, Assam Accord 15 Aug 1985 with AASU, Punjab/Longowal Accord 24 July 1985 (Longowal assassinated 20 Aug 1985), MUSLIM WOMEN (PROTECTION OF RIGHTS ON DIVORCE) ACT 1986 overrode Shah Bano SC verdict 23 April 1985, NPE 1986 Operation Blackboard, MTNL+VSNL 1986, BABRI MASJID LOCKS OPENED 1 Feb 1986 Faizabad district judge, BOFORS SCANDAL Rs 64 cr kickbacks 1987, IPKF Sri Lanka July 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord 29 July with Jayewardene, 61ST AMENDMENT Dec 1988 reduced voting age 21→18 in force 28 March 1989; draft 64th+65th Amendments Panchayati Raj failed RS but became 73rd+74th under Narasimha Rao 1992; ASSASSINATED 21 May 1991 LTTE suicide bomber THENMOZHI RAJARATNAM “Dhanu” Sriperumbudur 10:10 PM (revenge for IPKF + 1987 disarming Tamil Tigers); SIT D.R. Karthikeyan; BHARAT RATNA POSTHUMOUS 1991; Veer Bhumi memorial; 21 May ANTI-TERRORISM DAY.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Rajiv Gandhi called the youngest PM?
He took office at age 40 years 73 days on 31 October 1984 — the youngest age at which any Indian PM has been sworn in.
What was the 52nd Amendment?
Passed 1985 under Rajiv — introduced the Anti-Defection Law via the Tenth Schedule, disqualifying legislators who switch parties.
What was the Bofors scandal?
A 1987 controversy alleging Rs 64 crore in kickbacks on the Rs 1437 crore Bofors AB 155mm howitzer deal — contributed to Congress’s 1989 defeat.
How was Rajiv Gandhi assassinated?
By LTTE suicide bomber Thenmozhi Rajaratnam (“Dhanu”) at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, on 21 May 1991 around 10:10 PM — in revenge for the 1987 IPKF Sri Lanka deployment.