India After Indira - I

Indira Gandhi will be remembered more for her high-handedness and disrespect for civil and political freedoms than for her contribution to India’s development. Many of the persistent flaws of Indian politics can be traced to the Indira regime. Rampant factionalism, corruption and bribery, party-switching, high-handedness of public servants and disregard for the law which grew and flourished under Indira Gandhi continue to this day.

The quality of democractic practice was seriously weakened by the lip-service that the Congress government under Indira Gandhi paid to poverty alleviation. The garibi hatao slogan virtually became a garib hatao movement with her son Sanjay Gandhi forcefully evicting slum-dwellers and sterilizing the poor in the name of ‘population control.’ Even today, we see very similar tactics being employed by the Indian State in dealing with forest-dwellers and tribal communities. Similarly, superficial attention has been paid by the State to poverty, ill-health, illiteracy, malnutrition and poor living conditions – perpetuating, in many senses, the legacy of Indira Gandhi. This is the paradox of India’s recent development. While the economy has enjoyed unprecedented growth, millions continue to suffer the worst forms of human deprivation. The insensitivity of the State can once again be traced back to Indira Gandhi’s callous attitude towards the poor.

Even more disturbing is the shocking manner in which Indira Gandhi dealt with issues of minority communities in India. Her tenure as Prime Minister was marked by a serious breakdown in Hindu-Sikh relations. The situation was handled so badly that some Sikhs led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale demanded a separate Khalistan where their sovereignty would be recognized. In June 1984, Indira Gandhi ordered Operation Blue Star - a military assault on Amritsar's holy Harmander Sahib or the Golden Temple, the central Sikh place of worship, which had been occupied by Bhindranwale and his militant supporters. The occupants refused to surrender and a fierce fight ensued in which 83 soldiers and 493 Sikhs were killed. Many more were injured. It was only much later through a process of dialogue and reconciliation that the Sikh problem was resolved. It is unfortunate that the Indian State has not learned any lessons and continues to follow the Indira approach of suppressing opposition, not understanding the root causes, and adopting military solutions. This is apparent, for instance, in the way the State is dealing with the Maoist rebellion and tribal issues across the country.

Abuse of State power to suppress justice which flourished under Indira Gandhi during the emergency days is practiced even now. Take the case of how the State dealt with the aftermath of the anti-Sikh riots that broke out in Delhi and elsewhere following the assassination of Mrs. Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguard on October 31, 1984. What followed was organized massacre of innocent people to avenge the death of Mrs. Gandhi. Police and state inaction led to the killing of over 4,000 innocent Sikhs. It is well documented that many members of the ruling Congress party instigated street violence in the form of anti-Sikh riots after her death. Even more disturbing has been the way the State has dealt with bringing justice to people by subverting the judicial process, appointing tainted judges to head commissions of enquiry and delaying the verdict. In 20 years, nine commissions and committees have inquired into the riots. There has been no outcome so far. This displays a blatant lack of seriousness about delivering justice and punishing the guilty. It also shows a complete lack of concern or interest in the rehabilitation of the victims. It has not only tainted the image of the Congress Party but it has also dangerously encouraged the likes of Narendra Modi to practice State-sponsored acts of violence against minority communities.

In retrospect, we owe a lot to Indira Gandhi from whom we can learn what not to do than what best to do for India’s progress.