Spectrum Summary: The Rajiv Years (October 1984— December 1989) | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Problems at the Very Outset

The initial period of Rajiv Gandhi's tenure faced significant challenges, marked by tumultuous events that shaped the course of his leadership.

Anti-Sikh Riots

The anti-Sikh riots of 1984 were a series of violent incidents targeting the Sikh community in India, primarily in Delhi, following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for the Indian Army's Operation Blue Star, which aimed to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

After the news of Indira Gandhi's assassination spread, there was a surge of violence against Sikhs, fueled by anti-Sikh sentiments. Mobs, reportedly with political backing, engaged in widespread arson, looting, and violence against Sikh individuals and their properties. Sikhs were brutally attacked, and many lost their lives during this period.

Anti Sikh Riots:1984

1. The violence primarily occurred in Delhi but spread to other parts of the country as well. The riots continued for several days, and the official estimates of the number of Sikhs killed vary widely, with figures ranging from a few thousand to several thousand.
2. There has been significant criticism of the handling of the situation by law enforcement authorities and allegations of complicity by some political figures. The government at the time, led by the Congress Party, faced accusations of failing to intervene effectively to prevent the violence and of being indifferent to the suffering of the Sikh community.
3. In 2005, the Indian government established the Nanavati Commission to investigate the events surrounding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The commission's report, submitted in 2014, acknowledged the complicity of some individuals and criticized the handling of the situation by the authorities.
4. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots remain a painful chapter in India's history, and the quest for justice and accountability for those responsible continues to be an important issue for the affected communities.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy

1. The Bhopal gas tragedy, also known as the Bhopal disaster, occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, in Bhopal, India. It is considered one of the world's worst industrial disasters. The incident took place at the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) pesticide plant, releasing a toxic gas called methyl isocyanate (MIC) into the atmosphere.
2. The immediate impact of the gas leak was devastating. Thousands of people were killed, and many more suffered from respiratory problems, eye irritation, and other health issues. The exact number of casualties is disputed, with estimates ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands.
3. The primary causes of the disaster were identified as inadequate safety measures, poor maintenance of the plant, and lack of training for the workers. The incident raised concerns about industrial safety, corporate responsibility, and the need for effective regulation. The legal and environmental aftermath continued for years, involving compensation claims, legal battles, and attempts to hold those responsible accountable.
4. In 1989, Union Carbide and the Indian government reached a settlement of $470 million for the victims, but controversy persists over the adequacy of the compensation and the accountability of the parties involved. The site of the tragedy continues to be a source of environmental contamination, affecting the local population.

1985 General Elections

The 1985 General Elections were a crucial political event during the Rajiv Gandhi era, shaping the course of India's political landscape. The elections marked a significant juncture in the country's history, and understanding the dynamics is essential for UPSC aspirants.

Tackling Ethnic Conflicts Across India

When Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister, India faced several ethnic conflicts in different regions. Here's a breakdown of key events during The Rajiv Years:

• In Punjab, there were tensions related to Akali leaders. An agreement was signed in July 1985, but the leader, Sant Harcharan Singh Longowal, was tragically assassinated in August.
• Despite this, state elections were held in September, with the Akali Dal winning. Militancy persisted, but strong police actions under J.F. Ribeiro and K.P.S. Gill helped bring the situation under control, including Operation Black Thunder in May 1988.
• Assam faced agitation over the influx of foreigners. An accord was signed between Rajiv Gandhi and the All Assam Students Union (AASU) on August 15, 1985.
• Elections in December saw the AASU transform into a political party, the Asom Gana Parishad, winning convincingly. However, conflicts with Bodo tribals continued, and a resolution was pending.
• An agreement in 1986 led Mizo rebels to surrender their arms, resulting in Mizoram being granted statehood. The Mizo National Front, led by Laldenga, came to power in February 1987.
• In West Bengal, the GNLF, representing Nepali-speaking populations in Darjeeling, demanded a separate state. After discussions with Rajiv Gandhi, they agreed to an autonomous district council.
• Tripura faced clashes between tribals and Bengalis. The Tripura National Volunteers (TNV) adopted terrorism, leading to a memorandum in August 1988.
• The agreement involved the TNV renouncing violence, giving up secessionist demands, and negotiating for a power-sharing solution within the Indian Constitution.
• In Jammu and Kashmir, political changes led to dissatisfaction. Elections in 1987, marked by rigging, caused disappointment and anger, leading to the beginning of militancy in Kashmir.
• Some Kashmiri youth turned to Pakistan for support, creating a challenging situation for the Indian government.

Positive Side

Positive Changes on the Domestic Front during The Rajiv Years

Rajiv Gandhi addressing the public

1. Changing the System Within His Party: Rajiv Gandhi wanted to improve his political party. He didn't like incompetence, corruption, or people who blindly supported him. He tried to bring in younger and more dynamic leaders, but the old ways of doing things continued.
2. Cutting Red Tape: Rajiv tried to make the government work more smoothly. He wanted to reduce unnecessary rules and make things more open and flexible for the people.
3. Anti-Defection Act: One of the first things Rajiv did as the Prime Minister was to pass a law in 1985. This law stopped elected members from switching to another party until the next election. The goal was to prevent corruption and bribery in politics.
4. Environmental Legislation: After a major incident in Bhopal, Rajiv focused more on protecting the environment. In 1986, the Environment Protection Act (EPA) was introduced. This gave the government power to control industries for the safety of the environment.
5. Improving Local Government: Rajiv saw that local government (panchayati raj) wasn't working well in states. He tried to change this by suggesting a new law for regular local elections. Although the law couldn't be passed during his time, the idea was to make local governance better in the future.
6. First Steps towards Economic Liberalization: The first budget presented by Rajiv's government aimed to make the economy grow better. They reduced restrictions, simplified licensing, and made trade rules more flexible. While these changes helped businesses, they also led to stronger ties between politicians and businessmen.
7. National Rural Employment Programme: In 1989, Rajiv combined two employment programs into one - the Jawahar Rozgar Yojana. This program focused on creating more job opportunities in rural areas.
8. Technology Missions: Six missions were started to use science and technology for development. They aimed to improve water quality, increase milk production, reduce imports of edible oil, enhance health, boost literacy, and improve telecommunications.
9. Computerization: Rajiv encouraged the use of computers in various areas. He reduced taxes on computer components and allowed foreign companies to enter the market. This helped India become a major player in software export.
10. Education Policy: In 1986, Rajiv introduced a new education policy. This policy focused on providing equal educational opportunities. Operation Blackboard was started to improve primary school infrastructure all over India. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was created to promote adult education. Additionally, Navodaya Vidyalayas were established to provide free quality education to children from poor families, selected based on merit.

Negative Side

The Negative Side during The Rajiv Years

1. The Shah Bano Case: 

• In 1985, the Supreme Court made a decision in the case of Shah Bano, a Muslim divorcee. The court upheld a lower court's verdict, stating that Shah Bano's ex-husband should provide her with monthly maintenance.
•  According to the court, Shah Bano was entitled to this allowance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code, as she hadn't remarried and couldn't maintain herself. The court also highlighted the need for a uniform civil code for national integration. 
• However, conservative Muslims opposed this decision, leading to a private member's bill in Parliament seeking to exempt Muslims from Section 125. Despite opposition from Minister Arif Mohammed Khan, the bill was passed in 1986, overturning the Supreme Court's judgment.

1. The Babri Mosque Gates Opening: 
   • The Babri Mosque in Ayodhya was a long-disputed site. In 1986, the Faizabad district judge ordered the opening of the mosque gates, allowing devotees to pray. 
   • It was believed that this move was politically motivated to balance the fallout from the Shah Bano case. 
   • However, instead of easing tensions, it intensified demands for building a temple at the site. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and other Hindu groups became more vocal in their call for the demolition of the mosque.
2. The Bofors Scandal: 
   • In March 1986, India signed a significant arms deal with Swedish manufacturer AB Bofors. A year later, reports emerged alleging that the deal involved bribes to top Indian politicians, defense personnel, and Swedish officials.
   •  Investigative journalism by Chitra Subramaniam revealed that over Rs 64 crore had been paid to influential people, including Ottavio Quattrocchi, who was associated with the Gandhi family. The scandal damaged Rajiv Gandhi's reputation as a clean leader, earning him the nickname 'Mr. Clean.'
3. Press Freedom Bill: 
   • In July 1988, facing scrutiny over the Bofors scandal, Rajiv Gandhi introduced a draconian bill aimed at restricting press freedom. 
   • The bill proposed imprisoning newspaper/journal editors or proprietors for 'criminal imputation' and 'scurrilous writings,' terms to be defined by the State. The bill was seen as an attempt to suppress investigative journalism.
   •  Although it was eventually dropped, the damage to the government's image had already been done.

These instances demonstrated that the Rajiv Gandhi government faced challenges in handling sensitive issues, leading to controversies and a tarnished public image.

Agrarian Unrest During The Rajiv Years

Agricultural unrest

1. Severe Drought in 1987 caused distress in rural areas, notably in Kalahandi district, Orissa.
2. Formation of Farmers' Organizations, with notable leaders like Sharad Joshi (Shetkari Sanghatana) and Mahendra Singh Tikait (Bharatiya Kisan Union).
3. Shetkari Sanghatana operated in Maharashtra, while Bharatiya Kisan Union covered Punjab and Haryana.
4. Leaders highlighted a divide between "Bharat" (villages) and "India" (urban middle class) in the country.
5. Criticism of Economic Policies: Villages felt neglected in the government's economic plans.
6. Main Demands:
7. (i)Higher prices for agricultural produce.
8. (ii)Subsidized power for agricultural use.
9. Representation: These organizations mainly represented wealthier and middle-level farmers, not the poorest sections of rural society.

Foreign Relations

Rajiv Gandhi wanted to be friends with the United States and focused on science and economics. He talked directly to US President Ronald Reagan, and they canceled plans to give special aircraft (AWACS) to Pakistan.

Despite getting closer to the West, Rajiv Gandhi didn't like strict rules about stopping countries from making more nuclear weapons. He wanted all countries to get rid of these weapons.In 1988, he shared a plan at the United Nations for a world without nuclear weapons.

Helped other countries:

• (i)  In 1986, Indian Navy stopped a takeover in Seychelles in 'Operation Flowers are Blooming'.
• (ii) In 1988, Indian forces stopped a coup in the Maldives in 'Operation Cactus', supported by some people who wanted a separate Tamil state.
• 
  

India and China

Rajiv Gandhi with Chinese Leader Deng Xiaoping

1. In December 1988, Rajiv Gandhi did something very important for India. He became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit China since Jawaharlal Nehru in 1954. This visit was a big deal because it helped in making the relationship between India and China better.
2. Before this visit, in 1986-87, there was a tense situation between Indian and Chinese soldiers at a place called Sumdorong Chu on the northeastern border. It was like a disagreement between the two countries about where their border should be.
3. However, when Rajiv Gandhi went to China, things started to improve. India and China decided to work together to find a fair and reasonable solution to their border issue. They agreed to create a group called the 'joint working group' for this purpose.
4. They also set up something called the 'joint economic group' (JEG), showing that they not only wanted peace on the border but also wanted to strengthen their economic ties. This meant that both countries decided to expand and develop their relationship in various areas.

The IPKF Misadventure in Sri Lanka

IPKF Misadventure

1. Troubled Sri Lanka: There was fighting between the majority Sinhala people and the minority Tamils, who wanted their language to be as important as Sinhalese.
2. Violent Turn: Tamils faced discrimination, and protests turned violent. Various militant groups, including the LTTE, started fighting against the Sri Lankan forces.
3. Tamil Nadu Connection: Tamil Nadu in India felt close to Sri Lankan Tamils. The state government sympathized with them, and there's a belief that both Indira and Rajiv Gandhi secretly supported the Tamil militants.
4. Jaffna Siege: Sri Lankan forces blockaded Jaffna, a Tamil-majority area. Rajiv Gandhi tried diplomacy, but when relief supplies were blocked, India dropped them by air.
5. Indo-Sri Lanka Peace Accord: In July 1987, Rajiv Gandhi was asked to help. An agreement was signed where Sri Lanka promised power to Tamil areas, withdrawal of troops, and disarming militants. The LTTE, a key Tamil group, didn't agree.
6. Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF): India sent the IPKF to ensure peace, but it faced challenges: island geography, emotional ties with Tamil Nadu, and anger from the Sinhalese.
7. Military Confrontation: IPKF captured LTTE's headquarters, but militants retreated, leading to a prolonged and costly conflict.
8. Pressure to Recall IPKF: Back in India, people wanted the force to come back.
9. Assassination: The misadventure in Sri Lanka became a big problem. During an election campaign in Tamil Nadu, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber, upset over India's role in Sri Lanka.

Rajiv Gandhi faced difficulties trying to bring peace to Sri Lanka, and it ended tragically with his assassination.

General Elections in 1989

In November 1989, general elections were held for the Lok Sabha. During this time, V.P. Singh, along with Arun Nehru and Arif Mohammed Khan, left the Congress party. They established the Jan Morcha, and later, this group merged with the Janata Party, Lok Dal, and Congress (S) to form a new political entity known as the Janata Dal. 

The primary objective of Janata Dal was to bring together centrist parties that opposed the Congress government led by Rajiv Gandhi.

Subsequently, the Janata Dal collaborated with various regional parties, including the DMK, Telugu Desam Party, and Asom Gana Parishad, to create a coalition known as the National Front. This coalition aimed to present a unified opposition against Rajiv Gandhi's leadership.

Janata Dal Party

The 1989 elections marked a significant shift, as no single party secured a majority on its own. This development was seen as a milestone, indicating the beginning of coalition politics and a potential era of political instability. 

In December 1989, Rajiv Gandhi resigned from his position as Prime Minister. Following his resignation, the Congress party decided to sit in the opposition, paving the way for a new political landscape in India.