Top 5 controversial decision by the Iron Lady of India – Indira Gandhi

NP NEWS 24 ONLINE – “There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.” – Indira Gandhi

Fondly called the ‘Iron Lady of India’, Indira Gandhi was the first and only woman Prime Minister of India. Her reign for 16 years as the Prime Minister marked a watershed in the nation’s history. She was a complex woman, tough politician and one of the greatest leaders in Indian history.

Some of her decisions were often described as unwise. Whether the decisions were wise or unwise, they changed India forever.

Here’s a look at four decisions by Indira Gandhi that had an impact on the country.

Pokhran Nuclear Test – 1974

The need to go nuclear was felt among India’s policy circles after China exploded a 16-kiloton nuclear bomb in 1964. After defying a US Navy fleet deployed in Bay of Bengal to liberate Bangladesh, Indira felt the need to establish India as a major scientific and military power. On September 7, 1972, at the peak of her post-war popularity, Indira authorized testing of a nuclear device. On May 18, 1974, India conducted a nuclear test, becoming the only non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to be a nuclear power. The decision was kept a secret, and very few people among Indira’s close circle were aware of the move. It is said that even Defence Minister Jagjivan Ram was kept in the dark about the test.

Bangladesh War (1971)

The restrictive measures unleashed on the citizens of East Pakistan by Pakistan’s military rules saw around 10 million refugee flow into India in 1971, leading to a war with Pakistan resulting in the formation of Bangladesh. The Indian Army became the first army to win a battle after World War II.

Nationalization of Banks

Indira took a bold step to nationalize 14 commercial banks on July 19, 1969, through an Ordinance, a decision that remains contentious even today. The private banks were considered unreliable after a string of failures. It was also believed that these banks were lending only to big businesses, ignoring the agriculture sector which was crucial for reducing poverty. Estimates suggest only 2.2 percent of the bank loans were given to the farmers in 1967. Although the success of Gandhi’s bank’s nationalization remains questionable, it will remain one of the toughest measures taken up by an elected government.

Operation Blue Star

Indian army’s biggest internal security mission – Operation Blue Star – was carried out under Indira Gandhi’s watch. She decided to send the Army to the Golden Temple to flush out militants who were camping in Sikh religion’s holiest shrine. A total of 492 civilians and 83 Army personnel were killed in the mission, one of the most controversial decisions taken by the former Prime Minister. Indira paid the ultimate price for her decision. She was assassinated by two of her bodyguards on October 31, 1984, who were angered by Operation Blue Star.

The Emergency (1975-77)

In response to a PIL filed by Raj Narain, the Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of employing a government servant in her election campaign. This act was considered as an election fraud and the court banned her from running an election for six years and ordered to remove her to be removed from her seat in the Parliament. Mrs. Gandhi refused to step down and thus people started to protests across the country demanding her to resign. In response, she ordered the arrest of opposition leaders and declared Emergency on June 25, 1975. The day is referred to as ‘Black Day’ in Indian democracy. The period lasted for nineteen months.